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ENOCH CROSBY. 



THE 

SPY UNMASKED; 

OR, 

MEMOIRS 

OF 

ENOCH CEOSBY, alias HARVEY BIRCH, 

THE HERO OF ME. COOPER's TALE OF THE 

NEUTRAL GROUND; 

BEING AN AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OF THE SECRET SERVICES AVHICH HE RENDERED HIS 

COUNTRY DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 

\ 

(Taken from his own lips, in short hand), 

COMPRISING MANY INTERESTING FACTS AND ANECDOTES, NEVER I'.EFORE PUBLISHED. 



BY H. L. BARNUM 



EMBELLISHED WITH ENGRAVINGS. 



PRINTED IN NEW YORK CITY. 1828. BY J. & J. HARPER, 
AND RE-PRINTED BY 
THE Fli^HKIIili WEKKLY TIMES, 

WITH ADDITIONAL APPENDIX AND ILLUSTRATIONS, 
18 86. 



o o 3sr 1? HI isr T 3 . 



Pnyc. 

Dedication 5 

Introduction 9 

Chap. I. — Early Impressions 13 

II. — Leaving Home 17 

III— The First Campaign 21 

IV.— The Tories 28 

V. —Secret Service 31 

VI. — The Spy and the Haystack .....' 38 

VIL— The Escape 44 

VIIL— The Mountain Cave 49 

IX.— Chaderton's Hill 56 

X.— The Secret Pass 63 

XI. — Lights and Shadows 71 

XIL— Quaker Hill 75 

XIIL— The Spy Unmasked 79 

XIV —The Spy and the Traitor. ., 85 

Conclusion 91 

Appendix 93 

Additional Appendix : 

The Old Senate House, Kingston, N. Y 119 

A Revolutionary Heroine 120 

The Old Brinckerhoff Mansion, Swartwoutville, N. Y 121 

Washington's Headquarters, Newburgh, N. Y 122 

The Crosby Memoirs 129 

The Fishkill Centennial 129 

The Old Trinity Church, Fishkill, N. Y 143 

The Old Reformed Dutch Church, Fishkill, N. Y 145 

The Wharton House, Fishkill N. Y 147 

Anecdote on Continental Money 148 

Fishkill in Olden Time 149 

Revolutionary Reminiscences 150 

Our Nation's Progress 152 

Illustrations : 

Enoch Crosby 2 

Old Reformed Dutch Church 47 

"Wharton House 61 

Old Trinity Church 93 & 143 

Old Senate House 119 

Old Colonel Brinckerhoff Mansion 121 

Washington's Headquarters 123 

Bartholdi's Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World 152 



DEDICATION. 



TO JAMES F. COOPER, Esq., 

Author of "The Spy," "Red Rover," &c. 
SlE, 

As it was your fascinating pen that first immortalized 
the subject of the following Memoir, while it elevated the lit- 
erary reputation of our free and happy country, the Compiler 
has ventured to prefix your name to this unauthorized dedica- 
tion. 

Rest assured. Sir, that in taking this liberty, the under- 
signed had no other incentive but a profound respect for your 
talents as an author, and a warm esteem for your virtues as a 
man. 

Under the hope that the motive will justify the act, he 
begs leave to subscribe himself 

Your most obedient, and very humble servant. 

H. L. BARNUM. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Since the first publication of Mr. 
Cooper's interesting novel of "The 
Spy, A Tale of The Neutral Ground," 
much curiosity has been excited in 
the reading community, respecting 
the original of that excellent por- 
traiture, Harvey Birch. It seemed to 
be generally admitted, that the Spy 
was not a fictitious personage, but a 
real character, drawn from life; aad 
the author himself intimates as much 
in his preface, where he admits that 
"a good portion of the tale is true." 

But we are happy to assure the 
reader, that the fact does not rest 
upon the slender basis of fanciful 
conjecture. A gentleman of good 
standing and respectability, who has 
filled honourable official stations in 
the county of Westchester, and who 
has long enjoyed the friendship and 
confidence of Mr. Cooper, informed 
the writer of this article, on the au- 
thority of Mr. Cooper himself, that 
the outline of the character of Har- 
vey Birch, was actually sketched from 
that of Enoch Crosby; but filled up, 
partly from imagination, and partly 
from similar featui'es in the lives of 
two or three others, who were also 



engaged in secret services, during the 
revolutionary war. But Mr. Cooper 
has frequently assured our informant' 
that, though he had borrowed inci- 
dents from the lives of others, to com- 
plete the portrait, yet Enoch Crosby 
was certainly the original which he 
had in his "mind's eye." 

That there were several such secret 
agents in the service of the leaders of 
the revolution, is a fact that is now 
well known; a fact to which the 
author alludes in the first chapter of 
"The Spy," where he says, '■'■Many an 
individual has gone down to the tomb 
stigmatized as a foe to the rights of 
his countrymen, while, in secret, he 
has been the useful agent of the lead- 
ers of the revolution." Each of these 
individuals might have contributed a 
tint, a shade, a line, or perhaps a 
feature, to the character of Harvey 
Birch; but we think no one can per- 
use the following pages without be- 
ing convinced that Enoch Crosby was 
the original model from which that 
character was formed. 

It is highly probable, however,'that 
Mr. Cooper never saw Crosby; and, 
of course, could not have received the 



INTRODUCTION. 



incidents of bis life from his own ]ij)s, 
as did the compiler of the following 
Memoir. But the honourable John 
Jay, it will be recollected, was chair- 
man of the "Committee of Safety," 
under whose sanction Crosby's secret 
services were performed; and we un- 
derstand, it was at Mr. Jay's resi- 
dence that the novel of "The Spy" 
was first conceived and brought into 
existence. This venerable patriot, (bet- 
ter than any one else, not even ex- 
cepting the secref a^/ents themselves,) 
could furnish Mi'. Cooper with every 
requisite material for the character of 
Harvey Birch; although he was un- 
der the erroneous impression, that 
Enoch Crosby had long since paid 
the debt of nature. 

On learning the foregoing facts, 
from the gentleman alluded to above, 
the writer of this narrative, being 
then about twenty miles from the 
residence of Mr. Ci'osby, was induced 
to pay him a visit, for the purpose of 
hearing some of the incidents of his 
life related by himself; but with:)ut 
the least intention of ever committing 
them to paper. 

Although perfect strangers to each 
other, the old gentleman gave his 
visitor a cordial reception, and read- 
ily complied with his request, by re- 
lating several particulars of his own 
eventful life. Some of these were of 
so interesting a nature, as induced 
his auditor to suggest the propriety 
of laying them before the public. 
The aged veteran modestly waived 
such a proposition, considering the 
events of his life as of too little con- 
sequence to claim attention from the 
patrons of literature. He had never 
seen "The Spy,"' as novels were nijt 
included in his present course of 
reading; he was consequently ignor- 



ant of being himself the very hero of 
the tale. AVhen advised of this fact, 
and solicited to peruse the work, he 
consented; and the visitor took his 
leave. 

A short time subsequent to this in- 
terview, Mr. Crosby was called to the 
city of New York, to give his testi- 
mony in an important law suit, re- 
specting the transfer of some valuable 
real estate. While attending Court, 
in the City Hall, he was recognized 
by an old gentleman, who, not having 
heard of him for a number of years, 
supposed (like Jay and Cooper,) that 
Crosby had been, long since, number- 
ed with the dead. After such mutual 
greetings as ai'e usual on similar oc- 
casions, Crosby's old acquaintance 
turned to the Court, and introduced 
his friend as "the original Harvey 
Birch of Mr. Cooper's 'Sjjij.' " 

This anecdote being published in 
some of the daily papers, Mr. Sand- 
ford, proprietor of the LaFayette 
Theatre, politely invited Mr. Crosby 
to attend the representations of the 
drama of the "5p^;" which was per- 
formed expressly for that occfisiou. 
Ml". Crosby complied; and, the cir- 
cumstance being announced in the 
papers, a numerous audience attend- 
ed, who received the old soldier with 
several rounds of applause, which he 
modestly acknowledged. He ap})ear- 
ed to be much interested in the pei'- 
formance, and readily admitted, that 
some of the incidents resembled 
transactions in which he himself had 
been an actor in "olden time," on "the 
Neutral Ground." 

How Mr. Crosby was pleased with 
his reception in the city, will be seen 
from the following letter, which he 
sent to the Editors of the '■'Journal of 
Coiinii-i'iTe,"' in which paper it appeal"- 



INTRODUCTION. 



XI 



ed on the twenty -first day of Decern 
ber last, 1827. I 

"For the Journal of Commerce. 

Messrs. Editors. 

It would be an unsatisfactory re- 
straint of my feelings, should I not 
express my gratitude to the citizens 
of New York, for their kind attention 
to me during my late visit to that 
city, and particularly to the managers 
of the theatre, who politely invited 
me to witness the play called the 
'Spy: 

I was much gratified with the per- 
formance; for, while it called to mind 
those trying scenes of the revolution- 
ary war, it also created happy emo- 
tions in reflecting upon the glorious 
result of our labours during that 
perilous time, which bi'ought with it 
Independence and Pi-osperity; and 
having been spared to enjoy those 
blessings for half a century, and see 
them still continued, I can lay down 
my weary and worn-out limbs in 
peace and happiness, to see my feeble 
labours rewarded, and my greatest 
wishes answered, in gaining our in- 
dependence, and the blessings attend- 
ing it; and my most earnest and fer- 
vent prayer is, and shall be, that they 
may be perpetuated to the latest 
]>osterity. 

Yours, very respectfully, 

ENOCH CROSBY 
December 15, 1827.'' 

The writer of these pages now felt 
convinced that the public curiosity 
demanded an authentic nax'rative of 
Enoch Crosby's secret ser rices, during 
the revolutionary war. Under this 
impression, he paid him a second 
visit; and, after much persuasion, 
prevailed on him to relate the princi- 
pal incidents of his life, in the order 
thev occurred, while his visitor took 



them down, from his own lips, in 
short-hand. The substance of the 
following pages may, therefore, be 
depended upon, as facts related by 
Mr. Crosby himself. It is true, the 
language is, in the most instances, 
the Compiler's; but the ideas, with 
very few exceptions, are Crosby's 
own. The language was changed for 
the two following reasons: 

First, The events and incidents of 
Crosby's life were related to the Com- 
piler in the first person; which would 
have precluded many other facts, 
from various sources, Avhich have a 
connection with, or bearing on, those 
furnished by himself. By changing 
the style to the third person, the Com- 
piler was at liberty to interweave sev- 
eral important events which can cer 
tainly detract nothing from the 
merits of the work. 

Secondly, The particulars of 
Crosby's adventures, as narrated in 
the following pages, were elicited in 
a catechetical colloquy; the style of 
which is seldom sufficiently accurate, 
or elevated for the page of history. 
But the facts themselves did all ac- 
tually occur, with very trifling 
variation. 

The following work has been di- 
vided into chapters, for the conven- 
ience of the reader, in making 
references, &c. ; each of which has 
been headed with a motto, in order 
that his path, as he proceeds through 
the narrative, might be diversified 
with a few flowers of acknowledged 
s\ve<^tness. They may be "read or 
sung, at the discretion of" those who 
honor the l)Ook with a perusal; or 
th('y may be passed over unnoticed; 
for a motto, like a pai'enthesis. ''can 
always be omitted without injuring 
the sense.'" 



THE SPY UNMASKED; 



O R, 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



CHAPTER I. 



EARLV IMPRESSIONS. 



Be tliis brief precept carefully imprest, 
By ev(M'y iKircnt. on the infant breast; 
"Thy best atfcclions let tliy God conimancl. 
But next to Ii(>aven. adore thy native land." 

Enoch Crosby, the svibject of the 
following memoir, is a native of 
Harwich, in the county of Barnstable, 
state of Massachusetts.* He was 
born on the fourth day of January, 
1750; a year rendered somewhat re- 
markable by the first indication of a 
wish, on the part of the British par- 
liament, to infringe the rights and 
privileges of the American colonies. f 

It would not be an unpardonable 
hyperbole to say, that the adventures 
of Enoch Crosby commenced at the 
early age of fhree t/ears; as, at that 
period, he left the place of his nativ- 
ity, and, after a journey of more than 
two hundred miles, became a resident 
in the state of New York. His father 
had purchased a farm in the town- 
ship of Southeast,^; then in the county 

* ''Harvey Bii'cli," savs Coojier.in lirs interest- 
ing novel of the Spy, "was snpiiosed to be a na- 
tive of one of tile Eastern cobniies,"— Spv, Vol. i. 

p. SI. 

T It is well known, that the "mother country" 
liad, for a lont; period. reai)ed a rich harvest 
fi'oni the tradeOf her colonial subjects in Xorth 
America. In order to secure a perpetraty of 
these coniniercial advantages, liy compellint; her 
colonists to "let their workshons i-eniain in 
Kur.)pe," sundry prohibitorv acts' were i)assed 
by paVlianient, in the year alluded to. which i)ro- 
d'uced considerable excitement on this side the 
Atlantic. 



of Dutchess, but since set off as part 
of the county of Putnam, to which 
place he removed his family in 1753 

In this delightful retreat, Enoch 
passed the happy period of childhood, 
blest with parents wiiose tenderness 
and affection were only equalled by 
the rectitude of their lives; and in- 
dulged with every reasonable gratifi- 
cation that moderate affluence could 
procure. 

The natural scenery which, sur- 
rounded his paternal mansion, was 
picturesque, wild, and romantic; and, 
no doubt, contributed to tinge his in- 
fantile mind with that cast of ro- 
mance and adventure which so 
eminently influenced the actions of 
his riper years. His earliest recrea- 
tions were among cragged rocks and 
dizzy steeps; frightful precipices, 
roaring cataracts, and placid lakes. 
A high and romantic eminence called 
Joe's Hill, which rises near the centre 
of the town, and extends several 
miles into the state of Connecticut, 

t This town derives its name from its situa- 
tion. Ix'inm the southeast corner of Putnam 
c.iuntv. In extent it is about six miles square: 
l)oun(ied bv Connecticut Jn the East, and the 
county of Westchester (the neutral ground) on 
tlieSinith. The face of the country is rather 
m luutaiuous ]ind hillv. with numerous little val- 
leys nmniuit Southwest and Northeast. It is 
well watered bv the Ci-oton iuid Mill rivers, and 
their tributary streams. There are. in the town, 
five natural ponds, the largest of wliich is two 
milei in length and one in breadth. 



14 



THE SPY unmasked: OR 



was the theatre of many of his juven- 
ile exploits ; as were, also, the flowery 
banks of the meandering Croton, and 
the bord(n-s of several beautiful 
ponds, which lie like mirrors in the 
bottom of valleys, reflecting from 
their lucid surface the mountains 
and the sky. Endowed by nature 
with more than ordinary physical 
advantages, he generally bore away 
the palm from his play-fellows, in 
every athletic exercise; especially 
such as required a combination of 
personal courage, strength, and ac- 
tivity. 

Thus, for several years, glided the 
smooth current of his existence, 
sparkling in the sunbeams of hope, 
and unruffled by any intruding cures, 
save such as are incidental to the 
April morning of life. As his Qiental 
faculties gradually developed them- 
selves, they were doubtless assisted 
by such precarious literary instruc- 
tion as could be conveniently obtain- 
ed in a thinly populated district, at a 
period when the state of education 
was not very promising in any part of 
the country. 

Under such circumstances, it is not 
to be presumed that a lad of fourteen 
yeai's could have a very clear idea of 
the political relations existing be- 
tween different countries; yet there 
is little doubt, that the political dis- 
cussions to which, at that age, he was 
frequently a silent listener, had con- 
siderable influence in prepai'ing his 
mind for the part he was destined to 
perform in the great drama of the 
revolution. 

These discussions originated in cer- 
tain acts of the British parliament, 
which were passed in the year 1764; 
one of which commenced in the fol- 
lowing alarming terms: "^^■hereas it 



is just and necessary, that a revenue 
be raised in America, for defraying 
the expenses of defending, protecting, 
and securing the same,* we, the com- 
mons, &c., give and grant unto your 
majesty, the sum of,' &c. Here fol- 
lowed a specification of duties on 
certain articles of foreign produce, 
such as sugar, indigo, coftee, silks, 
calicoes, molasses, and syrups. 

This being the first act of the kind* 
(avowedly for the purpose of raising 
a revenue from the colonies,) that had 
ever disgraced the parliamentary 
statute book, it natiirally produced 
much excitement and animadversion 
on this side the Atlantic. The mer- 
its of the question were freely and 
warmly canvassed by persons of all 
conditions and ages, and in every 



* Tiulor, in liis life of Otis, {fives us tlie follow- 
ing interesting anecdote: ''When President 
AdiiMis was niini-;ter at the couft of St. James, 
he often saw his eountrynian, Benjamin West, 
the late' president of the royal academy. Mr. 
West always retained a strohg and nny'ielding 
affection for his native land. Mr. West one day 
asked Mr. Adams, if he shi)uld like to take a 
walk with him, and see the canse of the Ameri- 
can revolution. The minister, having known 
something of this mattei-. smiled at the proposal. 
I>ut told him that he should b- glad to see tlie 
cause ()!' that revolution, and to take a walk with 
his friend West any where. The next morning 
lie called according to agreement, and took Mr. 
Adams into Hyde f 'ark. to a si)ot near the Ser- 
pentine river, vvheie he gave h.im the following 
narrative. The king came to the throne a young 
man, surrounded liy.llattering courtiers: one of 
whose frequent toiiics it was, to declaim against 
the meaimess of his i>alace, which was wholly 
unworthy a monarch of such a country as Eng- 
land. They said that ther-e was not a sovereign 
in i'^urone wlio was lodged so poorly: that his 
sorry, dingy, old, brick palace of St. .fames, 
looked like a stable, and that he ought to build 
aiiahu'c suitable tolas kingdom. The king was 
fond of arc!iii;'ctui-e. and would therefore more 
readily listen to suggestions, which were in fact 
all true. This siiot that you see here, was se- 
lected for the site, l>etween this ;uid this point, 
which were nmrkcd out. The king applied to 
his ministei's on the snli]cct; they nnpiired what 
Sinn would lie wanted by his maji'sty, who said 
that he would bi'gin with a. million: they stated 
the expenses of the war, ;uid the |)overty of the 
treasury, but th;d his majcstv"s wishes should he 
taken into full consideration. Some time after 
the king was informed, that the wants of the 
treasury were too urgent to admit of a supply 
from tlieir pre-icnt me.ans, bnl that a revenue 
might he raised in .\merica to ^alpply all the 
king's wishes. This suggestion was followed 
u|).and the king was in this way tirst led to con- 
sider, and then to consent to the s(dicjue for t;ix- 
ing the colonies." 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



15 



situation where two or three happen- 
ed to be congregated; by females as 
well as males, and even by children 
in their seasons of recreation. The 
villag'e lasses felt indignant at the 
interference of parliament in matters 
connected with the regulation of 
their wardrobes; while the children 
justly apprehended some economical 
restrictions in their usual allowance 
of gingerbread and sweetmeats. 

Master Enoch, of course, was not 
an indifferent auditor of these per- 
petual discussions; but regularly 
reiterated, to an audience of school 
fellows, such of his father's argu- 
ments andobservations,as his juvenile 
mind partially comprehended. Each 
of hm ''omrades could, from a similar 
source, furnish his own quota or re 
mark; and thus a determined spirit 
of opposition to ministerial encroach- 
ments on colonial rights, was per- 
manently, and almost instinctively, 
established in the bosoms of the ris- 
ing generation, even before they were 
capable of understanding the nature 
or extent of the subject. 

Ere these newly awakened feelings, 
in the minds of Americans, were 
allowed time to subside, the celebra 
ted stamp act was received from 
England. The astonishment, alarm, 
and indignation, which now agitated 
every patriotic breast, would not be 
restrained, but burst forth in expres- 
sions and acts that could not be mis- 
understood by the friends and 
abettors of the obnoxious measure. 
A string of patriotic resolutions on 
the subject, offered by the celebrated 
Patrick Henry, and adopted by the 
legislature of Virginia, were printed, 
and circulated through all the provin- 
ces. Wherever they were read, they 
were hailed with enthusiasm: even 



school -boys were encouraged to re- 
cite them in their respective classes, 
and exhorted to imbibe the spirit by 
which they had been dictated.f 

A new mode of expressing the 
popular resentment against this 
odious act, began with the whigs in 
Boston, and was soon adopted by 
those of the neighboring colonies. 
This was by hanging or burning, in 
effigy, such of the principal loyalists 
as had openly avowed themselves 
friendly to the revenue system. The 
temper which prompted these tu- 
multuous proceedings rapidly spread 
through the colonies, until popular 
commotions prevailed to a degree 
that gave serious alarm to those cool 
and reflecting citizens who regarded 
the morals as well as the liberties of 
their country. Scarcely a day passed 
without furnishing the peaceful in- 
habitants of Southeast with some 
new account of riots, J mobs, and sum- 
mary chastisements, inflicted on the 
friends of the stam]3 act, in Boston, 
Newport, New York, Baltimore, and 
other populous towns. This was cer- 
tainly a dangerous spirit to let loose 
in society; and though, in the present 
insance, its excesses were, perhaps, 
in some measure, sanctified by its 
motives, still the necessity of its 
existence was deeply deplored by the 
best friends of their country. 

Tlie mind of youth is easily dazzled 
by such vivid corruscations of patri- 
otic fervour; and there is little doubt 
that they had a due share of influence 



+ Wiu'ii tlie;e resolutions were first re:ul in 
the house of l>urj;e^S!'s. iu Virginia, tlie boldness 
anil novelty of them atfected one of the nieinbers 
to sueh a Vlegr.^e tliat lie cried (lut •'Treason! 
treason I" 

X In all America there liad been Vuit seven 
presses issuinji newsjiapers, jirevious to the 
year 1T.'>(). In ITO.") they had increased to twenty- 
six on the c mtiaent. and li\e in the West India 
Islamls. 



16 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



in the formation of Enoch Crosby's 
character. 

About this period, patriotic asso- 
ciations were formed, the members of 
which were denominated the "»So?rs 
of Liberti/,'^ and they agreed "to 
march with the utmost expedition, 
(at their own proper cost and ex- 
pense), with their whole force, to the 
relief of th'ose who should be in dan- 
ger from the stamp act, or its pro- 
moters and abeitors, on account of 
any thing done in opposition to its 
obtaining." This agreement was sub- 
scribed to by such numbers in New 
York and the Eastern states, that 
nothing short of a repeal of the offen- 
sive act could have prevented the 
immediate commencement of a civil 
war. It was accordingly repealed on 
the 18th of March, 1766. 

The subject of this memoir very 
distinctly remembers the una?;nal re 
joicings which took place in his 
vicinity, in consequence of this highly 
interesting event. Similar demon- 
strations of joy were exhibited 
throughout the colonies. The names 
of Camden and Pitt were cheered to 
the skies. Every indignant resolu- 
tion was immediately rescinded; the 
churches resounded with thanksgiv- 
ings; illuminations and bonfires were 
every where exhibited; and a joy fill 
holiday was held throughout the 
country. This was another circum- 
stance that made a lasting impression 
on the youthful mind of Enoch, and 
assisted in the formation of a char- 
acter which has since been so admir- 
ably delineated by the pen of a 
master. 

But while the whole country was 
thus dissolved in joy, there were not 
wanting a few enlightened patriots, 
who maintained "that the immoder- 



ate transports of the colonists were 
dispi"oportioned to the advantage 
they had gained;" for at the same 
time that the stamp act was re- 
pealed, the absolute unlimited suprem- 
acy of parliament was, in words, 
asserted. 

"Wherefore do we rejoice?" asked 
the good clergyman, to whose pious 
exhortations, both in public and pri- 
vate, the Crosby family ever listened 
with pleased and devout attention. 
"Is it because the parliament of 
Great Britian has been graciously 
pleased to exchange our handcuffs 
for fetters? Is it because she claims 
the power and right to bind tlie 
colonies in all cases whatsoever? Are 
we prepared for this? Shall the 
petty island of Great Britian, scarce 
a speck on the map of the world, con- 
trol the free citizens of the great 
continent of America? God forbid!" 

"I believe, sir," replied the elder 
Crosby, "that we are hallooing before 
we are fairly out of the woods. Our 
politicians seem to overlook the de- 
grading condition which is tacked to 
this boasted repeal, that we must 
make compensation to those who have 
suffered, in person or property, 
through their own wilful adhei'encg 
to the cause of our oppressors. If 
we submit to this, we deserve to be 
slaves." 

"It appears to me," observed the 
village schoolmaster, who happened 
to be present, and who was strongly 
suspected of leaning to the minis- 
terial side of the question; "it ap- 
pears to me, that if we look at this 
subject by the pure light of sober 
reason, and not by the illusive flashes 
of excited passion, we shall see the 
propriety, of waiving ail debate and 
controversy; and, for the sake of in- 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



17 



ternal peace, of making the trifling 
compensation required. It cannot 
amount to much." 

"It is not the amount of the sum 
that I object to," returned the other. 
"It is the principal that I am con- 
tending for. If we yield in one 
point, there is no telling how far 
their encroachments may extend." 

"Is not their compliance with our 
petitions for repealing the stamp act 
an evidence of their i-espect for the 
rights of the colonies?" 

"No sir," replied the clergyman. 
"In this measure, the ministry have 
not been so much actuated by princi- 
ples of equity, as impelled by 
necessity." 

"Necessity!" reiterated the peda- 
gogue. "To me it appears an act of 
favour and lenity." 

"The doctrine of submission, pas- 
sive obedience, and non i-esistance, 
may do very well in the discipline of 
your school," answered Crosby; "but 
I hope my son will never imbibe 
from you, or any other man, such 
sentiments as applied in politics." 

Here the conversation terminated; 
and Enoch, who was present, did not 
feel any great increase of respect 
towards his preceptor in consequence; 
nor was it long afterwards, that his 
father placed him under the tuition 
of an elderly gentleman, of superior 
literary acquirements, whose political 
sentiments were in accoi'dance with 
his own. As this j)ersonage will 
again appear on the stage, in the pro- 
gress of our little drama, we beg the 
reader to bear in mind that he is not 
only a "staunch whig," but, in every 
other I'espect, a worthy man. 



CHAPTER II. 

LEAVING HOME. 

"Here, as, with wearied steps. I bent my way, 
I marli'd each dear and well-remembered 
spot, 
Wliere youth had buoyed my mind with visions 

g:iy, 
Xor tJunight I then how hard would be my 
lot." 

At the period of which we are writ- 
ing, it was the earnest wish of all 
parties, that harmony might be re- 
established between Great Britian 
and her American colonies. The 
severities of the British government 
"had not yet taught the colonists to 
express themselves in any other 
modes of language, but what indi- 
cated their firm attachment to the 
mother country; nor had they erased 
the habitual ideas, even of tender- 
ness, conveyed in their usual modes 
of expression. When tbey formed a 
design to visit England, it had al- 
ways been thus announced, T am go- 
ing home.' Home, the seat of 
happiness, the retreat of all the 
felicities of the human mind, is too 
intimately associated with the best 
feelings of the heart, to renounce 
without pain, whether applied to the 
natural or the political parent."* 

But although a strong desire for 
the re-establishment of harmony was 
manifested bj' persons of every des- 
cription, there still existed a great 
diversity of opinion as to the best 
means of producing so desirable a re • 
suit. "There were sevei'al classes in 
America, who were at first exceed- 
ingly opposed to measures that 
militated with the designs of admin- 
istration. Some, impiessed by long 

* Jirs. Warren. 



4 



18 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



connection, were intimidated by her 
powei', and attached, by affection to 
Britain; others, the true disciples of 
passive obedience, had real scruples 
of conscience with regard to any 
resistance to 'the powers that be;' 
these, whether actuated by affection 
or fear, by principle or interest, 
formed a close combination with the 
colonial governors, custom-house 
officers, and all insubordinate depart- 
ments who hung on the court for 
subsistence."* 

The partizau distinction of ir}iig 
and torij was adopted at an early 
stage of the controversy, and intro- 
duced in evei*y political altercation to 
which it gave rise. It was no un 
common occurrence for members of 
the same family, not only to es- 
pouse opposite sides of the question, 
but to defend the st?md they had 
taken with a zeal and pertinacity 
that ultimately sundered the tender- 
est ties of consanguinity. Thus, as 
the general ferment increased, the 
father was often arrayed "against the 
son, and the son against the father;" 
brothers became implacable enemies 
to each other; and even the fair sex 
were not unfrequently involved in 
this frightful whirlpool of political 
contention. 

Fortunately for the subject of these 
memoirs, and happily for his coun- 
try, his father's family, to adopt his 
own expression, were '-staunch 
whigs;" so was a majority of their 
fellow-townsmen, particularly the 
good clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Greg- 
ory, before mentioned. Indeed, the 
clergy, of every denomination, 
throughout the country, with very 
few exceptions, warmly espoused the 

* Mrs. Warren's American Kovolution. 



cause of the colonies ; and embraced 
every opportunity, both in public 
and private, of exhoi'ting their flocks 
manfully to resist every encroach- 
ment on their rights as freemen. 
Their influence was great, and its 
effects such as might have been ex- 
pected.f 

The attention of the elder Crosby, 
however, and that of his amiable 
family, were, for a time, diverted 
from political difficulties by domestic 
misfortunes. From a state of com- 
fort and comparative affluence, he 
suddenly found himself reduced to 
poverty and distress. ;j; 

This unexpected reverse of fortune 
rendered it necessary for the son, at 
the age of sixteen, to leave, for the 
first time, the shelter of his paternal 
roof, and seek his own fortune in an 
untried world. 

The painful sensations incidental 
to the parting of an afl'ection ate child 

t The clergyman of New Englaiiil, in particu- 
lar, were aiiiong the strongest advocates of 
'•Whig principles;" there were a few instances 
only of a separation of a minister from his peo- 
ple, in consequence of a disagreement in political 
sentiment. It was jeconuiiended hy tlie provin- 
cial congress of Massachusetts, that on other 
occasions than tlie Sabbath, ministers of 
parishes should adapt tlieir discourses to tlie 
times, and explain the nature of civil and re- 
ligious liberty, and the duties of migistrates and 
rulers. A zealous divine, who had been com- 
pelled to abandon the people of his charge in 
Boston, on one occasion used, in the puli>it, at 
P***, the following emphatic language: "() 
Lord, if our enemies wiU tight us, let them have 
fighting enough. If more soldiers are on their 
way hither, sink them, O Lord, to the bottom of 
the' sea." Thachcr's Journal, p. 23. "The clergy 
of Now England were a numerous, leained. anil 
respectable liody. who had a great ascenilancy 
over the minds of their hearers. They ccmuccted 
religion and patriotism, and, m their sermons 
andprayers, represented the cause of America 
as the cause of Heaven." Ramscji. "The clergy 
were among the first and most zealous jialiiots. 
both iu speaking and writing in vindication of 
the rights of their country. No class of men had 
more deeply imbibed the spirit of their vener- 
able ancestors, the first settlers of New England, 
than they. None more generally engaged m the 
cause of "their injured country, nor had a greater 
and more general influence upon the people." 
Morse's Rev. 

t Mr. Cooper frequently intimates that the 
parents of Harvey Birch had been suddenly "re- 
duced from competence to poverty." See Spy. 
Vol. i. p. Xi, and 154. 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



19 



from indulgent parents, and the 
home of his childhood, are seldom 
forgotten by the parties concerned; 
but in the present instance, their im- 
pression was left with a vividness of 
colouring which the lapse of more 
than sixty years has not been able to 
obliterate. In reverting to this inci- 
dent, at the age of seventy-eight, the 
subject of this memoir expressed 
himself, in substance, as follows: 

"At the age of sixteen the scene 
changed, and I was compelled to 
leave the home of my childhood, to 
seek the protection of strangers, and 
depend upon my own exertions for 
support. With the scanty outfit of a 
change of clothes and a few shillings 
in my pocket, I bade a long adieu to 
the friends I best loved, and the 
scenes of my happiest days. After 
receiving the blessing of my parents, 
with miach good advice, and a small 
Bible, which they assured me would 
prove my greatest consolation in 
every trial and affliction that might 
befall me, I shouldered my pack, 
clasped their hands in silence — for 1 
dared not trust my voice to say [fare- 
luelir — and hastened away, leaving 
my poor mother in an agony of tears. 

"I proceeded a short distance, with 
a burden at my heart much heavier 
than the one on my back. I then 
paused, and cast back a 'longing 
lingei'iog look,' on the spot that I 
could once call my home — but now 
no longer a home for me. I then re- 
sumed my march, and after proceed- 
ing a little further, again turned; 
when, for the last time, I saw mj'^ 
weeping mother through the widow, 
gazing, with streaming eyes, after 
her exiled son. I hurried away — I 
could not look again. The hills 
which surrounded the beloved man 



sion soon hid it from my view, and I 
felt myself alone in the world, cut oflf 
from all that I held dear; while the 
future appeared like a dark impene- 
trable cloud, scarcely illumined by a 
ray of hope." 

Painful as these sensations must 
have been t ) a youth in his circum- 
stances, they were soon dissipated by 
the novelty ever attendant on a 
change of scene and associations. He 
became an apprentice to a worthy 
man who resided in the eastern part 
of Phillipstown, since called Kent, in 
the county of Putnam. Here he was 
taught the "art and mystery of a 
cordwainer," and faithfully fulfilled 
his term of service, which terminated 
on the fourth day of January, 1771, 
that day completing his twenty -first 
year. 

Let it not be supposed, however, 
that during all this period he was an 
unconcerned spectator of the political 
movements around him. Far from it 
The sentiments which he had imper- 
ceptibly imbibed in childhood, "grew 
with his growth, and strengthened 
with his strength," and now began to 
fiow out into effective operation. Al- 
though military discipline had for 
several years been almost totally neg- 
lected, it now began to assume a 
more respectable attitude. New 
trainbands were organized, in one of 
which young Crosby soon became an 
active and efficient member; and he 
largely shared in the prevailing im- 
pression, that a most important crisis 
was fast approaching, for which it 
was the duty of every lover of his 
country to be duly and properly pre 
pared. Nor was this impression 
weakened by an incident which oc- 
curred in the last year of his minor- 
ity; an incident which forms a 



20 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



conspicuous chapter in the history of 
those times. We mean the massacre, 
in cold blood, of several citizens in 
the streets of Boston, by the British 
soldiery. This wanton act of bar- 
barity was perpetrated in open day, 
on the lifth of March, 1770. 

No previous outrage had produced 
such a general alarm as the one here 
alluded to. "Yet the accident that 
created a resentment which embold 
ened the timid, determined the 
wavering, and awakened an energy 
and decision that neither the artifices 
of the courtier, nor the terror of the 
sword, could easily overcome, arose 
from a trivial circumstance: 

"A sentinel, posted at the door of 
the custom house, had seized and 
abused a boy, for casting some op- 
probrious reflections on an officer of 
rank; his cries collected a number of 
other lads, who took the childish 
revenge of pelting the soldier with 
snow balls. The main guard, 
stationed in the nt ighborhood of the 
custom house, was informed by some 
persons from thence, of the rising 
tumult. They immediately turned 
out under the command of a captain 
Preston, and beat to arms. The cry 
of fire was raised in all parts of the 
town; the mob collected, and the 
soldiery, from all quarters, ran 
through the streets, sword in hand, 
thi-eatening and wounding the peo- 
ple, and with every appearance of 
hostility they rushed furiously to the 
centre of the town. 

"The soldiers, thus ready for exe- 
cution, and the populace grown 
outrageous, the whole town was justly 
terrified by the unusual alarm. This 
naturally drew out pei'sons of higher 
condition and more peaceably dis 
posed, to inquire the cause. Theii 



consternation can scarcely be des- 
cribed, when they found orders were 
given to fire promiscuously among 
the unarmed multitude. Five or six 
persons fell at the first fire, and sev- 
eral more were dangerously wounded 
at their own doors."* 

"How slightly soever historians 
may pass over this event, the blood of 
the martyrs, right or wrong, proved 
to be the 'seeds of the congregation.^ 
Not the battle of Lexington or Bun- 
ker's Hill; not the surrender of 
Burgoyne or Cornwallis, were more 
important events in American his- 
tory, than the battle of Kin<>' street, 
on the 5th of March, 1770."t 

The immediate result of this out- 
rage is well known. Captain Preston 
and his party were taken into cus- 
tody of a civil magistrate, tried for 
mui'der, and acquitted; and all the 
royal troops were subsequently re- 
moved from the town to the fort 
about three miles below. But the in- 
dignant feelings which it had created 
in every patriotic bosom were not to 
be appeased. The blood of their 
brethren cried from the ground for 
vengeance, and the appeal was felt 
in every section of the country. Like 
other young men of his age, Enoch 
Crosby ardently longed for an oppor- 
tunity to mingle the blood of the 
assassin with that of their victims. 
But the hour had not yet come.;}; 

* See Appendix, No. 1. 

* Mrs. Warren's Americau Kevolution. 

t John Adams' letters to Dr. Morse. 

i The town, of Boston instituted an annual 
oration in comnienioration of this catastrophe, 
and anions the first orators were such naiueo a 
Hancock, Warren, and Lovell. 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



21 



CHAPTER III. 

THE FIRST CAIIPAION. 

"O, who, reclined in dastard ease, 
Could hear his country's call in vain; 

Or view her banner court the breeze, 
Nor sigh to join the hostile train." 

WOOUWORTH. 

As we are not writing a history of 
the rise and progress of the revolu- 
tiouary war, but merely the memoirs 
of a private individual who took an 
active part in chat momentous con- 
test, it is only requisite to give a brief 
detail of such events as are con- 
nected, more or less remotely, with 
his own transactions. 

The destruction of the tea in Bos- 
ton,* the consequent port bill,f as it 
was called, the formation of a con- 
tinental congress, and the arrival of 
General Gage with an army to re- 
duce the '"i-efractory colonists" to 
submission, are prominent ieatures 
in the history of four yeai's, from the 
period of our last chapter. But 
events of still greater importance 
were at hand, and anticipated with 
trembling anxiety. 

xVmong the "signs of the times," 
was the newly awakened militarj^ 
ardour which prevailed throughout 
the colonies, more especially in the 
Eastern states. In almost every 
town, a certain quota of hardy youth 
were draughted from the militia 
trainbands, who voluntarily devoted 
a daily portion of their time to im- 
prove themselves in the military art, 
under officers of their own choice. 
These were styled '•'•nvnute men,'''' and 
stood ready to march at a moment's 
warning, to defend the rights of their 
countrymen. 

+ The tst day of June. 1774. the day when the 
Boston iiort-l>i!l l)ega:i to operale. was observed, 
in most of tlie c ilouies, with niicoinnion solem- 
nity, as a diiy of fa^-iinij and prayer. 



At this period, the younger Crosby 
resided at Danbui-y, in the State of 
Connecticut; and though it was not 
his fortune to be draughted as a 
minute-man^ he was still actuated by 
the same martial spirit which in- 
spired the rest of his countrymen. 
The year 1775 had opened without 
the occurrence of any incident of 
much political importance; but while 
thousands of bosoms wei'e throbbing 
with feelings of intense interest, 
every eye was directed to the capital 
of Massachusetts as the quarter 
from whence momentous intelligence 
might be hourly expected. 

The public mind was in this state 
of feverish suspense, when, in the 
month of April, an express arrived at 
Danbury, with intelligence that "up- 
wards of four-score of Americans had 
been inhumanly butchei'ed on the 
plains of Lexington,* by a detach- 
ment of the British army, which had 
afterwards been put to flight by a 
few raw country militia. That houses 
had been rifled, plundered, and burnt: 
that neither sex, age, nor infirmity, 
had been respected by these ruthless 
marauders; and that women, with 
their new-born infants, had been 
compelled to fly naked, to escape the 
fury of flames in which their houses 
were enwrapped!" f 



* When General Washington heard of the 
battle of Lexington. April 19. 177.5, and of the 
slaughter of the Americans on that occasion, he 
said, '•! grieve for the death of iny countrymen: 
but rejoice that the British are' still so deler- 
Hiined to ke9|> (!od on our side; for the smiles of 
Heaven can never be expected on a nation that 
disregards the eternal rules of order and right, 
whicii Heaven itself has ordained."— TFcf-ms's 
Life of WasMiujton. 

t The celebrated Rev. John Ilorne (Tooke.) 
two years after the event, was tried, in England, 
and "found guilty of publishing an advertisement, 
in wliudi it was asserted, "that the king's troops 
had coiiimitted mnrder at Lexington, in 
America:"' he wa-s conseipiently, sentenced to 
imi>!isoanieiit for a year, to [layatine of Ib'iOO. 
liid to fnid secnritv for his good behaviour for 
three years'.— Funlycc's CInonology. 



22 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



The sensation produced by this in- 
telligence not only at Danbury, but 
in every other place, can be bettor 
conceived than described. The shock 
was electric, and the whole counti*y 
flew to arms. J 

Within twenty-four hours after 
the routed "regulars" had rr>gained 
the protection of their shipping, the 
town of Boston was invested by sev- 
eral thousands of our exasperated 
counti'ymen; while the colonies of 
Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New 
Hampshire, seemed all to be in 
motion. Ind.^ed, "such was the re- 
sentment of the people, and the 
ardour of enterprise, that it was with 
diilicalty they were restrained from 
rushing into Boston, and rashly in- 
volving their fi'iynds, in common with 
their enemies, in all the calamities of 
a town taken by storm " § 

The outrage at Lexington occurred 
on Wednesday, the 19th of April ; but 
the news did not reach the city of 
New York until late on Saturday even- 
ing, nor was it generallj known un- 
til Sunday morning. A m?eting of 
the citizens immediately took place; 
who, without much ceremony, seized 
upwards of tive hundred stands of 
muskets and bayonets belonging to 
his Britannic majesty. 

Oil the following day, the keys of 
the custoQi-house were secured by 
the whigs; who soon made themselves 

t I-irael Piuiiam (afterwarils Major-general) 
was ploughing ill his field when he heard the 
iiewi. He iastiuitly stopped his team, left the 
plough in the furrow, mounted a horse, and in 
eighteen hiiirs wa^^ on the battle-gr.mnd. a dis- 
tance of one hundred mile-i! He then returned 
to Conneciicut. anil raised an a:-iiiv; the provin- 
cial co'.igress of Mmachusetts having that day 
voted to raise thirty thousand men. 

"They heard— and the plough in the furrow was 

stay'd. 
Each art wa^ relinquished for musket and blade; 
Tiie pipe of the swain in the vallev was still. 
While the bngle rang louJ from' each fortified 

hill." 

§ Mrs. Warreu's Americaia Kevolutiou. 



masters of all the public stores in the 
king's ware houses in the city and at 
Turtle Bay. 

At this time there were about three 
hundred regular British troops in the 
city, commanded by a Major; and 
very serious apprehensions were en- 
tertained, that the confused and dis- 
orderly manner in which the 
foregoing transactions were con- 
ducted, would produce a rupture be 
tween the soldiers and ttie populace. 
A regular general meeting of the 
citizens was therefore called, and a 
committee of fifty appointed, who 
were invested with full powers to act 
as the exigency and circumstances of 
the times might require. At this 
meeting a set of spirited resolutions 
were passed, and signed by the citi 
zens at large, in which they pledged 
themselves, their lives, their fortunes, 
and their sacred honovir, to support 
tbeir committee in all its operations, 
and also every measure of the general 
congress, then in session at Philadel- 
phia. 

One of the first acts of the com- 
mittee, was an order permitting the 
British troops to depart without in- 
terruption, taking with them their 
arms and accoutrements. In conse- 
quence of this order, the troops pre- 
pared to embark on the following 
day; when it was observed that they 
had several carts loaded with spare 
arms. Marinus Willett, and some 
others, immediately resolved to pre- 
vent this virtual infraction of their 
agreement; and meeting the troops 
in Broadway, stopped them, and 
without much difficulty took posses- 
sion of the spare arms. With these 
Willett armed a new company of his 
own raising, with which he joined 
the first Canadian expedition. 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBT. 



23 



The citizens of Danbury were not 
backward in this moment of gene- 
ral excitement. || A renrlezvous was 
opened, to which the youth of the 
county flocked from every quarter; 
and two regiments were immediately 
raised, one under the command of 
Colonel (nfterward General) Wooster, 
and the other under the command of 
Colonel Waterbury. Within a few 
houx'.s from the arrival of the express 
at Danbury, the name of Enoch 
Crosby was inscribed on the muster- 
roll of Captain Benedict, followed by 
those of one hundred and fifty young 
men, a'l residents of that town; form- 
ing the most efficient company in 
Waterbury's regiment.* 

As soon as these regiments were 
duly organized, equipped, and re- 
ported to the provincial congress of 
Massachusetts, then in session at 
Water tow a, f they impatiently waited 
for orders to move and act in defence 
of their Eastern brethren. Nor was 
their impatience abated by the suc- 
cesses of their enterprising neigh- 
bours at Ticonderoga and Crown 
Point, on the 10th of May following;^ 



li This excitement was not confined to any 
class, age or sex. Tlie females largely partici- 
pate.! in tiie patriotic arJoiir tliat prevailed, and 
exliibited instances of heroic virtne that were 
never surpassed by the celebrated women of 
Sparta. See Appeiulix. No. III. 

* It i-i worthy of remark, that every one of 
the^e youag men returned from the Northern 
campaign in safety; while, during their short 
absence one hundred deaths occurred in the 
town waere they belonged. Perhans, by going 
int ) danger, many of them preserved their lives. 

■j; Tliis legislative body liad voted to raise 
thirty thousand men; thirteen thousand and six 
hundred of them to be of their own province, 
and that a letter and delegate be sent to the sev- 
eral colonies of New Hampshire, Connecticut, 
and Khode Island. Tlie Committee of safety 
also sent letters t.) the several towns in tli'e 
olony soliciting assistance. 

X This enter|irise was managed hy Colonels 
E.iston, Arnold, and Allen; and so secretly, 
judiciously, and rapidly was the expedition con- 
ducted, that tiiey entered the garrison before it 
was known tliat an enemy was near it. Arnold 
ani Allen contended for the honour of entering 
the fort first; but it wa*. finally agreed that they 
slijuld both go in together. They advancecl 
abreast, and entered tlie foriress at the davvn- 



but on the news of the battle of Bun- 
ker Hill, § it was wrought up to a 
pitch of painful intensity. Every 
man longed to be in the field, and 
share in the dangers and glory that 
awaited the champions of liberty. 
This patriotic ardour was shortly to 
be gratified. 

The continental congress was now 
in session at Philadelphia; and, at 
this i^eriod, the importance of possess- 
ing the Canadas, strongly impressed 
the minds of gentlemen of the first 
penetration, private citizens as well 
as the representatives of the several 
colonies, in that august legislative 
body. It was thought a favourable 
crisis to make the attempt "when the 
flower of the British troops, then in 
America, were shut up in Boston; 
and when the governors of the 
Southern provinces, interrupted in 
their negotiations with the Indians, 
had taken refuge on board the king's 
ships, either from real or imagined 
personal danger." || It was, there- 
fore, detei'mined to employ Colonel 
Waterbury's regiment, together with 
two regiments of New York militia, 
in this important and hazardous ser- 
vice; the whole force consisting of 
about three thousand men, under 
the command of Generals Schuyler 
and Montgomery. 

The reader may easily imagine 

ing of day. A sentry snapped his piece at one of 
them, ;ind then retreated through the covered 
wa\ to the parade. The Americans followed, 
and immediately drew up. The commander, 
surprised in his bed, was called upon to surren- 
der the fort. "By what authority?" exclainied 
the astonished officer, rubbing his eyes, and 
scarcely knowing whether he was asleep or 
awake. 

•'I demand it in the name of thegreat Jehovah, 
and of the continental congress." was the reply 
of Colonel Allen. 

The authority could not be disputed. Tlie fort 
was surrendered without resistance, together 
with forty-eight prisoners, several brass and 
iron cannon, and ;. valuable quantity of warlike 
stores. 

§ See Appendix, No. III. 

li Mrs. Warren's American Kevolution. 



24 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



with what alacrity our hero and his 

fellow soldiers obeyed the orders of 

their superiors, to "strike their tgnts 

and march away." The language of 

each heart was, 

"Strike up the drirns: and let the tongue of war 
plead for our interest." 

The}' were ordered to the city of 
New York, where they were joined by 
the New Yoi'k militia, one corps of 
which was commanded by the gallant 
Willet; but encamped about two 
miles oat of town, near the spot now 
occupied as Vauxhall garden.* After 
remaining in tbis position about three 
weeks, they removed toHarlaein, and 
encamped ^ in the village. From 
thence they took boats, and proceeded 
up the Hudson to Albany, on their 
way to Lake Champlain. 

General Schuyler being detained 
at Albany, for the purpose of nego- 
ciating an Indian treaty, his coad- 
jutor, the intrepid Montgomery, led 
on his gallant band of patriots to 
Ticonderoga, wdiere they arrivyd on 
the twanty-tii-st day of August.f As 



* In the year 1775, the city of New York (we 
mean tlie eoaijKict pirt of it) extended no 
farther north thaa PaiTition street, now called 
Fulton street, near St. Paul's eluire',). P.eyond 
this there were only a few seatteriu}-- iiouse-:. 
with here and there a handsome country seat. It 
was' considered a pleasaut ramble -oat of town" 
to go to '-the ficlJs," wliere the Citv ILill now 
stands. 

t Tlie fortress of Tieonde: o^a. so often men- 
tioned in tlie liistory of the Aniei-ican wars, is 
now a heap of rain C thoajjli nr.uiv of the walls 
are so entire as to exhibit proofs of the excel- 
lency of iheir construction, and of the i)lan of the 
W(u-;<s. It wa-i built by the French in 1750. on a 
pjint of land formed by the jnnction of f^ake 
lieorge creek with Lake Champlain, in N. lat. 
4:5 degs. ."JO niin., and 31 min. E. .ong, from New 
York; elevati )n, above l/ike Champlain, no 
feet; above iide waters, i;)G feet. TJie nanu^ is 
derived to us from the Indians, Frenchtield; and 
sigaified nolsij. Che-on-der-oga: probably in 
alluuon to the water. Bnt the French called it 
Fort Carillon. It was a phice of great strength, 
both by nature and art. On tli'ree sides, it is 
surrounded by water, and about half of the other 
side is occupied liy a deep swamp, and the line 
of defence was completed by the French, with I 
the erection of a breast-work. '.) feet high, on the 
only a isailable ground. In 17i>s. (lene'a! \b'^»-- 
cr^mbie, with tlie British army, assailed this 
fortress; was defeated .Jnlv:i. uith tne loss (n 
1,911 men. Bat it was surrendered to General 
Amherst, in July of the following year. It was 



soon as a sufficient number of boats 
could be provided to convey the army 
down Lake Champlain, they em- 
barked for Isle mix iVoix, lying about 
eleven miles north of the lake, in the 
river Soral, which connects the waters 
of Champlain with that of the St. 
Lawrence. On reaching Islt^ La 
Motte, they were rejoined by Gen. 
Schuyler, who had prepared an ad- 
dress to the inliabitants of Canada, 
1 inviting them to join the standard of 
[ liberty, and unite in the common 
! cause of America. 

From Isle aux Noix, the army pro- 
ceeded to St. Johns, the tir.-^t British 
post in Caaad.i.;!; During their pas- 
sage down the river, the soldiers 
were directed to hold themselves con- 
stantly in readiness for defence, as it 
was reasonably apprehended that 
they might be assailed by the Indians 
from the woods which skirted the 
stream. 

On effecting a landing, at a short 
distance from fort St. John'-', the as- 
sailants, about one thousand in num- 
ber, immediately formed in full view 
of the garrison, and prepared for 
hostile operations. Their movements, 
at this juncture, are thus described 
by Crosby himself: 

"We were now in full view of the 
enemy, who kept up a corstant can- 
nonading, which ordy caused us to 
dodge now and then, merely serving 
to get us into a fighting mood. We 
were soon ordered to advance; but 
had only proceeded a few rods, when 
we were suddenly attacked by a body 
of Indians in ambush; who, after a 



the first fortress carried by the arms of America 
in the war that established our Independence; 
it was taken t/V surprise, by Col. Allen, IVIay U). 
177.'), and retained till .July, 1777. when it was 
■evacuated, on the appncich of Gen. Bin-goyne 
with the British army. 

% Abv>ut 115 miles north of Ticouderoga. 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



25 



short contest, were glad to show lis a 
specimen of their speed in running.* 

"Onr sport, however, was soon in- 
terrupted by an order to halt!— 
when, after burying the dead, and 
providing for the wounded, a council 
of war was held by the officers, in 
which it was determined to return to 
Isle aui Noix, throw a boom aci'oss 
the channel, and erect works for its 
defence. 

"In the meantime, a breastwork 
was ordered to be thrown up on the 
spot where we stood; and accordingly 
every one went to work with alacrity. 
While some were felling trees and 
preparing timber for this purpose, 
and others throwing up the earth to 
form a parapet, we were constantly 
annoyed by the shells thrown from 
the fort. This circumstance tended 
to retard our operations; for when a 
shell rose in the air, every one would 
stop working to watch its course, 
and ascertain if it would fall near 
him. I must confess that I felt no 
particular affection for these unwel- 
come intruders, but rather regarded 
them as 'messengers of evil;' still, 
however, notwithstanding the cold 
I'ecaption which I gave these warm- 
hearted visitors, I never thought of the 
fashionable expedient of 'not being at 
home,' (in other words, of 'dodging 
them,') until I heard some one ex- 
claim, 'Look out! — take care, there!' 
whan I looked up, and saw one des 
cending towards the very spot where 



* Ramsay says, that "the British pickets were 
driven into tlie fort. The environs were then 
reconnoitred, and tlie fortifications were found 
to 1)6 miicii /stronger than liad been suspected. 
This induced the calling of a council of war. 
which recommended a retreat to Isleaux Noix." 
Mrs. Warren says, tliat "an unexpected attack 
from a large body of Indians obliged them to re- 
treat to their former post, and await the arrival 
of reinforcements." The latter account is in 
strict conformity with Mr. Crosby's own state- 
ment. Both, however, may be correct. 



I was standing. I threw myself flat 
on the ground, and it just passed 
over me. 'A miss is as good as a 
mile' thought I, as I sprang from my 
recumbent posture, and resumed my 
labour. But after that, I kept one 
eye upon the enemy. 

"Our general, however, gave us 
some instructions on this subject. He 
advised us never to change our 
position until the shell was directly 
over UP; and if it should then appear 
that it had lost its projectile force, 
and was falling, 'it would be well 
enough to step on one side.' He was 
a noble fellow, that Montgomery. f 
Every soldier in the army loved him 
like a brother. 

"When the breastwork was com- 
pleted, which was in a much shorter 



t Montgomery was a warm-hearted Irishman: 
and war was his profession. He had been a 
captain of grenadiers in the 17th regiment of 
British troops, of which Moncton was colonel. 
In 1772. he bequitted his regiment, though 
in a fair way of preferment, because 
he disapproved of the sentiments of the 
ministry, and had imbibed an affection 
for America, which he viewed as the rising 
seat of arts and freedom. A sentiment of 
a still more tender nature might have had some 
influence in this transaction, as he soon after- 
ward married the beautiful and accomplished 
daughter of Judge Livingston, of New York. 
His many amiable qualities had procured him an 
uncommon share of private affection, and his 
great abilities an equal proportion of public es- 
teem. His name was mentioned in parliament 
with singular respect. The minister himself ac- 
knowledged his worth, while he reprobated the 
cause he had espoused. He concluded an in- 
voluntary panegyric, by exclaiming— "Course on 
his virtues! they have undone Ids counti^'." 
When he embraced his amiable lady for the last 
time, on his departure for Canada, and bade her 
a tender farewell, his parting words were— "You 
shall never blush for your Montgomery." She 
never did— but a nation wept his untimely fall. 

"Yes, yes, I go," he whispered soft, 
"In h-eedom's cause my sword to wield, 

Columbia's banner waves aloft. 
And glory calls me to the field." 

Then foreihost on the foe he prest. 
While war's rude tempest wildly roar'd, 

Till, gushing from the hero's breast. 
The purple tide in torrents pour'd. 

He fell, and oh! wh.at fancies stole 

Througli memorv's vista, bright and warm. 
Till one loved image o'er his soul 

Came like an angel in the storm. 
But loudlv swell'd the bugle's blast. 

His haiid instinctive grasp'd the steel; 
Again *t swelled— but all was past. 

The warrior's breast had ceased to feel. 

WOODWORTH. 



26 



THE spy unmasked; oe, 



tiiBH than ml.^-ht have bean exp33te 1 
consideriiij: tho cirjam-itimcos vinder 
which we laboureJ, we prepared for 
a retreat; as this show oi! hostility 
was merely a tinesse to de,\'rt th3 
onemy's attention. A^. soon as night 
set ill, and every object was shrouded 
in darkness, we were ordered to de- 
ciinp with as little noise as possible. 
We accordingly took our boats, and 
vetnrn.id np the river; leaving he 
oneiny to wonder at our sudden and 
mysterious exist. On the following 
d ly, we reached Isle ais. Noix. where 
we remained t.vo weeks, waiting for 
reinforce ia ut •.." 

Soon after this event, an extreme 
ba 1 sfc ite of he ilth in biced Greneral 
Sjilrivler to retire to Ticjnduroga. 
ail the sole cjmnand devolv.-d on 
General .Montgomery. Im:nediately 
on the fi'nvd of his expected rein 
force:i;en':„ this intrepid and enter 
prising otii.'er returned to the vi- 
cinity of St. Johns, and opened a 
b itt ry against it on the seventeenth 
d ly of September. '■Ammnuition, 
howev r, was so scarce, that the 
siege could not be carri'd on with 
any prosp 'ct of speedy success. 

The Ge.neril, ther.'fore, detac'iel a 
sm ill body of trjops. to attempt the 
rodnction of fort Chambleo, only six 
miles distant. Success att* n led this 
enterprise; and, by its surrendsu". six 
tons of gun powder were obtained, 
which enabled the General tc pro-o- 
ciite the siege of St. Johns with 
vigour. The garrison, though strait- 
ened for provisions, persevered in de- 
fending themselves with unabating 
fortitude.* 

The severe duties of so arduous a 
campaign; the frequent skirmishes. 

* Eomsay'sAiiiericimEevoluLLou. 



marches, and counter-marches, and 
constant exposure to sudden changes 
of Ave;)ther, in the inclement month 
of October, were not Avithont their 
eifects on the health of the soldiers. 
Among othtu's, Crosby was seized 
with a severe indisposition, and re- 
moved to the hospital at Isle aux 
Noix. But his impatience to share in 
the danger's and glory of the ap 
proaching contest, would not permit 
him to remain under the surgeon's 
hands but a few days, when he re- 
turnevd to the army, in direct op- 
position to the wishes of his medical 
adviser. In I'elating this incident, 
Mr. Crosby says: 

"I returned against the surgeon's 
advise, and contrary to the expecta- 
tions of my C.iptain; for as the time 
for which we had enlisted had nearly 
expired, he had no idea that any of 
us invalids would rejoin the army. 
As soon as he saw me, he accosted 
me in a tone of unaft'ected surprise; 
'•Halloo, Crosby! Have you got 
back? What induced \ou to return 
before your health was restored; I 
never expected to see you here again; 
so you might as well have gone home. 
You havs not had time to get well; 
for you look more like a scarecrow 
than a soldier fit for duty.' I re- 
plied, that I wished to be with liim; 
and that if I was not able to fight, I 
might at l^ast frighten the enem\', as 
he thought I looked like a scarecrow. 
At this remark he laughed heartily, 
and told rae, that if I wished so 
much to tight, that I should soon be 
gratified. Accordingly, in the course 
of the day we had a severe engage- 
ment, in which we proved victorious; 
and, to ray great satisfaction, I was 
one of the number that marched into 
the fort to the tune of Yankees 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



27 



DooJlo, auil took charge of the 
prison. n's."* 

Oar invalid soon rpcovered his 
hoaltli, and continued in the service 
until the army took possession of 
Montreal, which they did, without 
rvVsistance, on tiie 12th of November. 
His term of enlistment having now 
expire.l, hp proposed to return, once 
more, to the tranquil scenes of -his 
childhood. He was warmly solicited 
by his commandant to remain with 
the arm}', and even promised pro- 
motion if he would comply; but, be- 
ing strongly impressed with the idea 
that a morj extensive field for useful- 
ness wonld soon be opened in the 
vicinity of New York, he persisted in 
his intention of leaving the army. In 
co:iip:iny with several others, whose 
term had also expired, (having en- 
listed for six mouths only.) he em- 
barked in a small schooner for Crown 
Point,t where he ari'ived about the 
1st of Decembei'. 

"From thence, (says he.) our little 
pirty proceeded on foot to Ticon- 
derogn. where we procured a small 
boit, and rowed up the river which 
connects Lake George with Champ 
lain. On re:tching the falls, however, 
we were compelled to draw our boat 
on shore, and drag it on the ground, 
acrt)ss a neck of land about a mile in 
width. In this manner, with immense 
labour and fatigue, and suffering 



* .Major rre^on.fho conimaiuliiigofiioprnt St. 
Jo'rii. siirrPinle 1 Hint fnrtre-i-! on rci-eivin'r 
lioi )u:-:i')if toriin of cutiitiiliition. "Hy those i1 
W:i< ajrpeil. that tli" Karri vin slimilil liiarcli out 
wit'i tlie lioiiMir-i of \va •; tlmt tlio ofCicprs and 
]) a/ It" ! sliotilil mroirvl t'lcir a-ins on th" nlain : 
t'le oni'?r-i to kcfii tli"ir siilt'-anii<. and tliinr 
fiiv-aiMi! Up rPiorvPd for tlicin. aid that the 
ppo'ile af the K HTiioii slio'ild retain tlieireffeet-:. 
Ah i'lt live irri l-e I resrilar-:. a-vl one Irindrecl 
r uvi li US h'ei n'Mi"i colors to th" prnvinoia's. 
T le.' a'so a; inii-e 1 thirty-nine nie;H's of eaunon. 
s'ven ni)-ti--i. an 1 tvo lr>.vitz"ri. and abont 
ei'j;ht Iria h"e I .itan I of a'"ns. Among t'lP ean- 
n II were inanv hra^-i field--iie'>ei. :v\ artielp of 
wliicli the Aiiierijaiu were nearly destitute." 



greatly from the inclemency of the 
season, we reached Sabbath-day 
Point, J in Lake George. Here, how- 
ever, no friendly shelter awaited us; 
and though, almost perishing with 
cold, we could obtain no better qunr- 
ters than an old pig-stye. This 
miserable substitute for a tent was 

, soon filled with brush and straw; 

' when, with wet feet and shivering 
bodies, (all of us being thinly clad,) 
we laid ourselves down to rest from 
the fatigues cf the day." 



t On I.al;e Chaniplain. ahont 12 miles north 

of Tieonderfiga "The eelehiated fortress of 

Crown Point, one of tlie liest ever ereelert within 

tlie jtresent ti-rritory of tlie United Slates, gave 

its name to this town, which eoiilains the riuns 

of tlie fort. Alonij the lake, the surface is 

liretty level, but hish nionntaiiis i)revaiie tho 

western ])art. 'I he fort itself is on a point of 

land jutting far into the water northward, a r.d 

washed by a considerable bay on the west. called 

West I>ay. This fortress was first elected by 

the Firncli. ill 1701. and called Fort St. Fieder- 

icK. In IT.'iii. it was snrrended to the Hritish 

I troops under (icneral Amherst, and was oe- 

I cuiiied by them until May 14. 177.';, when it fell 

I into the hands of Ihe Americans, (as stated in a 

I preceding note.) but was evacuated in 177G, iiinl 

I agiiin fen Into the hands of Ihe British. Tie 

I walls weie of wood and earth, twenty-two fett 

: thick, and sixteen feet in height. It was :ibont 

1 fitleen hundred >ai(ls stinaie. surKUii ded by a 

I deep and broad ditch, cut in a solid granite rock, 

! with immense labour. On tlie n(n-lli is a double 

row of strorg stone barracks, of a capacity to 

contain two thousand troops. On the same side 

was a gMtP, a strong drawbi i('ge, ;ind a covered 

way to the margin of the lake. The whole are 

now in ruins, and the outworks, of which Ihefe 

were some pretty extensive. ;iie little else than 

heaps of rubbish, barely suflUiicnt to revive re- 

I membrance."— S/jairortr,s Gazetteer. 

, X So called from its havinsr been the scene of a 
\ bloody massacre on the Sabbath day. A hirge 
; party of whites had eiieamiied there, witi out 
suspecting an enemy to be near them ; 1 ut the 
Indians came upon them suddenly, and cut them 
off, :ilinosf to a man. Verv few escajied tolell 
liie dis;istri us stm'y. We have often heard the 
t-adition, but are not in jiossession of the p.ar- 
ticnlars. Lake Ge(M'ge. of course, could not 
i have been atlraelive to our tiavellers in the 
' middle <)f winter: but in any other seas(ni it is 
i the most beautiful sheet of dear water in Amcr- 
ii'it. pei-haps in tlie world. It is about thir'y- 
three miles in length, and nearly two in breaillh. 
Its northern extremity approaches within two 
, and a half miles of Lake Cliamplaiu.and the out- 
let is little more then three miles long, where it 
is said to de-'cend l.")7 feet. Lake (ieorge is sur- 
rnimdeil bv high mountains, and is excelled in 
romantic beauties bv no similar waters of the 
world. Its water is very deep, the bottom so 
clean that neither winds or freshets render lo 
tn:'bi 1, :ind it abonnds with the finest fish for the 
ang'er. Silmon trout are taken weighing twenty 
P'lunds and upwards, with a great variety of 
other tiih. 



28 



THE SPY unmasked: OR 



At early dawn, on the following 
morning, this intrepid little party re- 
sumed their unpleasant journey; and, 
after several days of fatigue and suf- 
fering, without meeting any remark- 
able adventure, at length reached 
their respective homes in safety. 

After a few weeks repose had res- 
tored Ci'osby to his usual health and 
strength, he resumed the peaceful 
occupation of shoemaking, in his 
former situation at Danbury. Here 
he continued until the 25th of Jan 
uary, 1776, when a sudden gloom was 
spread over the whole country, by the 
disastrous news that his beloved 
General, the brave and amiable Mont- 
gomery, had fallen before the walls 
of Quebec, on the last day of Decem- 
ber. Even at this distant period, 
(1828,) Mr. Crosby cannot speak on 
this subject without emotion. The 
soldiers almost adored Montgomery; 
and there was scarcely an individual 
that had ever served under him, but 
shed tears for his untimely fate. 
Crosby was so much affected on tirst 
hearing of the melancholy event, 
that he found it difficult to pursue 
a 1 occupation that gave so much op- 
portunity for painful reflections; he, 
therefore, sought relief in change of 
scenery, and oaid a visit to his friends 
in Kent, where we leave h'm for the 
present, while we take a glance at 
the state of the country, on the open- 
ing of the eventful year 1776. In 
doing this we shall discover the 
causes which prompted the subject of 
this memoir to assume a new charac- 
ter in the revolutionary drama — that 
of a Spy, on the '-Neutral Ground." 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE TORIES. 

Know, villains, when such paltry slaves presume 
To mix in treason, if the nlot siiceeeils, 
They're thrown negleeteil by; but, if it fails, 
Tliey're sure to die like tlojjs, as you shall do. 

AUDISOV. 

The winter of 1775-6 passed tai'dily 
away, and no military movements of 
consequence were made on either 
side. The British troaps remained 
shut up in Boston, under the com- 
mand of General William Howe, the 
pei'fidious Gage having sailed for 
England. The continental army in 
the vicinity of Boston was rapidly de- 
creasing by the expiration of the 
short period for which the soldiers 
had enlisted.* Although Congress 
had exerted all its energies to create 
a new army, still the recruiting ser- 
vice went on very slowly, and no 
active operations were attempted un- 
til the beginning of March, when a 
threatened bombardment, from the 
heights of Dorchester,t compelled 
General Howe to evacuate Boston, 
and thus relieved the suffering in- 
habitants from their distress and 
privations. J The British ai'ray was 



* At the close of the year 1775. the continental 
army near Boston, was reduced to a very 
critical situation, being (Obliged to substitute 
new raised troops and militia, in the jilace of 
those who had been in service five or six months; 
and this exchange was made within musket-shot 
of the enemy's lines. During part of this period, 
their numbers were not sufficient to man the 
lines, nor was there powder enougli in camp to 
furni-h/oiH-ron/ids a man! They had only four 
small brass cannon, and a few old honey-comb 
iron pieces, with their trinmions broken off; and 
tliese were ingeniously bedded in timliers, in 
tlie same manner as that of stocking a nuisket. 
These machines were extremely unwieldiy and 
inconvenient, requiring much skill and labour 
to elevate and depress them. Had the enemy in 
Boston been made acquaihted with the situation 
of their besiegers, the consequences might have 
neen unpleasant.— T/iac/iej-'.s Journql 

t See Appendix, No. IV. 

t The distresses of the inhabitanis of Boston, 
during the memorable winter of \"ir,-r,, exceed 
description. Thev had been promised permis- 
siou to leave the town, if they would deliver up 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBT. 



29 



hastily embarked on board the ships 
and transports ihen lying in the har- 
bour, together with a host of tories 
;;nd refugees^ who claimed the protec- 
tion of General Howe, and abandoned 
their blee(ling country. The fleet 
l^roceeded to Halifax, where the 
loyal fugitives were landed, and 
where Howe determined to remain, 
until the arrival of his brother from 
Euglanil, with the expected rein- 
foi'cements, which should enable him 
to pursue the year with vigour. 

Immsdiately after this joyful event, 
Washington sent on the continental 
army, in detachments, to New York; 
and as soon as he had made some 
necessary arrangements for the future 
defence of th« eastern states, he has- 
tened on himself, and made every 
possible preparation for the reception 
of the expected enemy, who did not 
arrive at Sandy Hook until the 29th 
of June. 

After waiting, at Halifax, two or 
throe months, for the arrival of his 
brother Lord Howe, with his "motley 
mercenaries from Hosse, Hanover, 
and. Brunswick,'* Sir William became 
impatient of delay, and set sail for 
New York, accompanied by Admiral 
Shuldham. Here, however, he found 
the continental army so strongly 
posted on Long Island and the island 



their artns. whicli were acoordiiisly rlepositefl in 
Fanciiil II iil, to the care of tlie sef-ct men. l?ut 
no sooner were tlie citizens conii>letely flisiirmed. 
then <;.i^o violated liis agreement, and refused 
t'> let them depart. Nor was general Ho-.ve. his 
successor, any more lenient; for he i-isued a 
proclam ition. proliibitiiis; all persons ntteini)t- 
in^ to quit the town, without if written license, 
oa peniltv of miUtnnj e.cecutinn : and, if they 
e>e iped, they were to he proceeded airainst as 
traitors, and tiieir effects to be forfeited. The 
c )iisequeuces may ue easily conceived. That ill- 
fated town was a scene of famine and distress. 
T.ie iuhibitaiits were almost in a st;ite of star- 
vation, for the wa-it of food anil fuel. Totally 
deuituteof vegetables, flour, and fresh provis- 
ions, they were actually obliged to feed on horse 
fle^h; while the news of churches, old houses, 
an I ti nbered wharves, were demolished for 
fuel.— r/iac/icr's Journal. 



of New York, that hft did not imme- 
diately attempt anything of conse- 
quence; but landed his troops at 
Staten Island, and there awaited the 
arrival of his brother. 

In the meantime, the declaration 
of Independence was adopted by 
Congress, and pulolished to the 
nation. Four day? after its passage, 
it was read to the army at New 
York, by whom it was received with 
the most enthusiastic demonsti'ations 
of joy. A leaden statue of his Majesty 
George III, was itnmediately thrown 
down, and run into bullets, for the 
reception of Lord Howe, and his host 
of mercenaries, who arrived, four 
days afterwards, with a formidable 
squadron. 

After amusing, or rather insulting, 
the American government with an 
inadmissible proposition of reconcili- 
ation, the enemy made preparations 
to act with vigour. Having been 
joined by /'the repulsed troops from 
the south ward, J and the broken squad- 
ron under the command of Sir Peter 
Parker; by a regiment from St 
Augustine, and another from Pensa- 
cola; also, by a few troops from St. 
Vincents, some small additions from 
other posts, and a considerable party 
of tories from New Jersey, and from 
the environs of Philadelphia and 
New York, which, by great industry, 
had been collected and embodied by 
Governor Tryou," the whole hostile 
army crossed the channel, and landed 
on Long Island, where they were 
posted, in detachments, on the south 
side, fi'om one end of the island to 
j the other; separated from the Ameri- 
can army by a ridge of hills covered 
with woods. 

X See flrst note, in Chapter Vlll. 



30 



THE SPY unmasked; oe, 



Tryon. it will bo recolleatecl, was 
the hisfc governor who presided at 
New York, under the crown of Eng- 
land. He had formei-ly been gover 
nor of North Carolina, where his 
severities had rendered his very 
name univej'sally detested. He, of 
course, entered with great zeal into 
all the measures of the British 
government; and endeavoured with 
ari-, influence, and inlrigne, (of which 
he was perfect m'lster,) to induce the 
city of New York, and the inhabitants 
under his governtfieut, to submit 
qaietly, and not unite with the other 
colonies in their plans of opposition. 
Failing in this purpose, and becom- 
ing apprehensive for his own per- 
sonal safety, he left the seat of 
government, and put himself at the 
head of a body of toiies, whom he 
assisted in butchering their fellow 
countrymen, and comiiittin:? the 
most shocking enormiti(?s on the de- 
fenceless inhabitants of New Jersey, 
and wherever else he could penetrate. 
He; constantly held out such flatter- 
ing inducements for these wretches 
to join him, that scarcely a day 
passed without his receiving recruits 
from some quarter. 

At this period, the "Committee of 
Safety" for the colony of New York, 
consisted of Messrs. Jay, Piatt, Duer 
and Sackett; gentlemen who have 
since held conspicuous situations in 
the government of their emancipated 
coiintry. It, of course, became the 
policy of this committee to count?r- 
act, as far as in them lay, the arts 
and intrigues of the wily Tryon. For 
this purpo.se, they e.x;ercised the ut- 
most vigilance to prevent the torie-i 
from joining the standard of the 
oneiiiy; and felt perfectly justified in 
resorting to coercive meiisures to 



effect this desirable object. In fact, 
so dai'ing had become their opposition 
and outrages, that any lenity ex- 
tended towards them would have 
been cruelty to the friends of libefty, 
as the following facts will amply 
demonstrate. 

A gang of these unprincipled 
wretches, who had as.sociated in NeYV 
York for the purpose of joining the 
British army, had even conci rted a 
plan to assassinate Wasldngton, and 
some other officers; and, while our 
arm}'' was engaged with the enemy, 
to blow up the magazines. The 
mayor of- the city, and an armourer 
wht^ was employed in making rifles 
for the iories, together with several 
others, were taken into custody, and 
connnitted to prison. The m;\vor. on 
examination, confessed that he had 
received money from Tryon to p::y 
the armourer for the rifles. Two of 
Washington's body-guards were con- 
federates in this nefarious scheme; 
but a third, to whom the secret was 
conlided, honestly disclosed the in- 
formation. Several of these mis- 
creants were tried and convicted, and 
two or three were executed. 

About the same time, a similar plot 
was brought to light in Albany by 
the confession of two iories. Their 
plan was to set the city on fire, and 
blow up the magazine. In conse- 
quence of this pi'emature exposal, 
some of the conspirators were appre- 
hended, and the meditated plot 
frustrated.* 

But the most dangerous and cul- 
pable of these internal enemies, were 
those who had the effrontery and ad- 
dress to pass themselves off" for w higs. 
One of these was Dr. Benjamin 

* Sec Tau;Uer'.s Jauruul, p. G4. 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CEOSBY, 



31 



Church, vrho had long sustained a 
hig-h reputation as a patriot and a 
son of liberty. He had beon a mem- 
ber of the house of representatives of 
Massachusetts, and was afterwai'ds 
appointed sur<^-eou g-eneral, and di- 
rector of tha hospitals. Previous to 
the evacuation of Boston, however, 
he was detected in a traitorous cor- 1 
resf)OtKleuco with the eneoiy; tried, 
convicted, and expelled from the 
house of representatives, and ordered 
to be "closely confined in some secure 
jiil in Connecticut, withnnt the use 
of pen, ink, or paper; and that no 
person be allowed to converse with 
him, o.Kcejjt in the ijresence and hear 
ing- of a magistrate, or the sheriff of 
the county." After all this, however, 
he was tin;illy permitted to depart 
from the country. He and his family 
embarked for the West Indie.^; but 
the vessel fouudei-ed at sea, and all 
Vv^ere lo:.t.t 

A man by the name of Ledwitz, 
who, by his own solicitation, had been 
appointed Lieutenant-colonel in the 
continental army, was also detected 
in a traitorous correspondence with 
the infamous Tryon. He intrusted 
his letter to one Steen, an honest 
German, to be conveyed to New York; 
but, considering' it his duty to expose 
the perjidy, the messenger delivered 
it to Washington. By this criminal 
act the perlidious wretch had for- 
feited his life, according to the 
articles of war; but, on his trial by 
a cjiirt -martial, his life was savea by 
the casting vote of a militia officer, 
who pretended some scruples of con- 
srience! He was, however, cashiered, 
and declared incapable of holding 



any military office in the American 
service.* 

But it is unnecessary to multiply 
instances. Enough has been said to 
show that the tories were the most 
insidious, virulent, and implacable 
enemies, with which the friends of 
liberty had to contend in the fearful 
struggle which secured the indepen- 
dence of these United States. Inter- 
nal secret enemies are always more 
dangerous than open avowed foes in 
the field; and it ought to be con- 
sidered as a signal and remai'kable 
interjjosition of divine providence, 
that their vile machinations were so 
frequently defeated. But Providence 
always operates by instruments; and 
among the most efficient, patriotic, 
disinterestf d, and successful agents, 
in counteracting the meditated 
treachery and machinations of inter- 
nal secret enemies, was Enoch Crosby; 
as will be sufficientiy shown in the 
following pages. 



t Soe T!iaclisi-'> Journal, p. 3S. 



CHAPTEE V. 

SECltET SERVICES. 

What is it tliat you wduld impart to mc? 
If it 1)0 anjilit tdward tlie ,a('iiPi"al good, 
"Set honour in one eye. ami deatli i'the other, 
And I will look on both i-.dillerently; 
Ftir let the uods so speed nie, as I love 
The name of honour more than I fear death. 
Shakspeake. 

The unfortunate battle of Long 
Island, the consequent retreat of the 
American army, and the subsequent 
occupation of the city of -New York 
by the British, under Geneial Howe, 
are events familiar to every reader. 
The first occurred on the 27th of 
August, 1776, and the last on the 15th 
of the following month. The affair 
at Kipp's Baj'.f the contest at Har- 

* Ibid. p. G-t. 

t Sec Chapter VI, third paragraph. 



32 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



laem Hei<?hts, and the landing of the 
enemy at Tbrog's Neck, in West 
Chester county, followed each other 
in rapid succession, and excited the 
most lively interest throughout the 
country. 

It was during the ocsuri'ence of 
these important transactions, that 
Crosby determined to rejoin the 
standard of his country. Several 
months' r^^pose had recruited his 
health and strength after the fatigue 
and sufferings of his northern ex- 
pedition. He was now in the twenty- 
seventh year of his age, with every 
pei'sonal and mental qualification re- 
quisite for acts of enterprise, hazard, 
and address. In height, he was 
nearly six feet, with broa 1 shoulders, 
fall chest, and a lib;^ral share of bone 
and muscle, but not a superaliun- 
d.iuc3 of flesh.]; Active, athletic, and 
inured to hardships, he determined 
no longer to indulge in inglorious 
ease, while his brave countrymen 
were in arms in defence of their rights 
anJ liberties, and while persons of 
every age, sex, and condition, were 
cheerfully submitting to unexampled 
privation.s, for the sake of political 
freedom.^ He, therefore, resumed 
his knapsack, shouldered his musket. 
and, onc9 more bidding adieu to the 
rural scenes of Kent, he bent his 
coarse towards the headquarters of 
the American army. 

It was towards the close of a warm 
day, in the month of September, 1776, 
that he reached a wild and romantic 
ravine, in the county of Westchester.* 

I "l!i person, the pedliir w.is ;i luaii above the 
niuldle height; spare, but full of bone and m in - 
cle. IIU evea were prray— sunken, restless: and. 
for the few moments that tliev dwelt on the 
countenances of those with whom he c(mversed. 
seemed to read the very soul."— Spy, Vol. i. 
p. .31. 

8 So3 Ap;i?ndix. N i. V. 

* Wc^licster couuty is situated ou the east 



Here he fell in with a gentleman, who 
appeared to be travelling in the same 
direction, and with whom he soon 
entered into familar convrr-;ation. 
Among other questions, the stranger 
inquired, if Crosby was going "down 
below?" — to which he read'ly answer- 
ed in the affirmative. The interro- 
gator appeared pleased with this 
reply, and let fail some expressions 
which plainly indicated that he had 
"mistaken his man," supposing 
Crosby to be a loyalist, on his way to 
join the British army. The latter in- 
stantly perceived the advantage 
which might be derived from this 
mistake, and suffered his new com- 
panion to remain under the errone- 
ous impression. 

"Are you not aware," said the 
stranger, "that it is somewhat hazard- 
ous to go down alone? The rebels 
are on the alert, and you may meet 
with obstacles that will not be very 
pleasant." 

"Indeed!" returned Crosby, with 
much affected concern. "What course 
would you then advise me to pursue?" 

"I will tell you, sir. I reside but a 
short distance from hence; go with 
me, and make my house your home 
for a few days, when j'ou can go 
down with a company that is now 
forming for that purpose." 

"That is, indeed, a most fortunate 
circumstance," replied Crosby; "and 
I accept the hospitable invitation with 
as much cordiality as it appears to 

side of the Hudson. imnH>diateIy above York Is- 
land. It is jolneil to Putnam comity on the 
north, and Connecticut on tlie east; comnrisisifj 
about four hundr.xl and eighty sonare nuies It 
enjoys ;i direct coimnunication with the llndson 
on the west, and witli the .Sound on the snulh- 
east. f(s surface, in souie i);irts. is rngLrcd and 
mountainous; in others. be;nitifnllv unchdatiiifr. 
and iuxuriaiitlv fertile: the whole well wiUerwl, 
and diversified with scenery that is trulv |)ictnr- 
es(|ut' and roniiuitic. Tlie ccnti-c of this countv. 
lyiufi between the two hosiile armies, duii!i}i: the 
revolufionary war, was called thp "Neutral 
Grouud." 



MEMOmS OF ENOCH CEOSBT. 



33 



have beeu given. This arrangement I 
will relieve my mind from a load of 
anxiety, and I shall feel myself under 
a weight of obligation to you." 

•'Not at ail, sir; it is a pleasure to 
servo those who, in these trying 
tiui.>s, retain their integrity, and re- 
main faithful to his majesty. I am 
happy to know that many of my 
neighbors are of this class; and 
though the vigilance of Jay, Duer, 
Piatt, Suckett, and their deluded in- 
striin^nts, comp3l my friends to be 
vary circa:nsp3c;t iu their raovem3nts, 
thera is nj donbh of thair being able 
to complete their arrangements, and 
reaching the army without molesta- 
tion. They will very gladly receive 
you as a member, and in their com- 
pany you will be perfectly safe." 

"I have no doubt of it," returned 
Crosby; ''anl am impatient to be in- 
trodu3ed to their acquaintance." 

"Yonder is my residence; and you 
need refre.shment and repose. Rest 
yourself to-uight, and in the morn- 
ing your wish shall be gratified." 

Crosby readily acceded to this pro- 
posal, and followed his new acquaint- 
ance into a small enclosure that led 
to a neat farm-house at a short dis- 
tance from the x'oad. Here he was 
received with a cordial welcome, and 
furnish. >d with such refreshments as 
his situa'.ioa required. After supper, 
the evening was spent in conversing 
on a variety of subjects, that natur- 
ally grow oat of the critical state of 
the timas at that period; such as may 
easily be imagined to have passed be- 
tween a covert whig, anxious to 
obtain intelligence, and a real toi'y, 
who had no suipicion of the charac- 
ter of his guest. 

Having had a comfortable night's 
rest, and a substantial breakfast, 



Crosby reminded the host of his 
promise to introduce him to such of 
his neighbours as were faithful to the 
royal cause; particularly tho&e who 
were about forming a company to 
join the British army. 

"I am anxious," said he, "to be- 
come acquainted with the agents, 
before I join in the enterprise. It is 
not every man of fair professions 
that can be safely trusted. I like to 
see and judge for myself." 

The reasonableness of this request 
induced his kind entertainer to com- 
ply with it without delay. Crosby 
was accordingly introduced to a num- 
ber of persons, on many of whom the 
shadow of suspicion had never before 
lighted, they having ever professed 
to be warm adherents of the Ameri- 
can cause. Every one received him 
with cordiality, and conversed on 
political subjects without the least 
disguise or restraint, so completely 
had they been thrown off their guard 
by their contidence in the person who 
had recommended him. He found 
the whole of them to be most invete- 
rate and virulent in their hostility to 
the friends of liberty, and was con- 
vinced that he could not render a 
greater service to his bleeding coun- 
try, then by counteracting the ma- 
chinations of her most dangerous 
(because most secret and insidious) 
foes. 

Accordingly, at the expiration of 
three days, during which time he had 
made himself master of all the infor- 
mation in their power to communi- 
cate, (and some of them held secret 
correspondence with the enemy,) he 
told his host, that he felt too im- 
patient to join the army, to wait any 
longer the dilatory movements of 
this company. He was, therefore, re- 



34 



THE SPY unmasked; OR 



solved to proceed alone, and to trust 
to fortune and his own address for 
protection. After vainly exhausting 
every argument to dissuade his guest 
from so hazardous a project, the 
other finally consented, and Crosby 
resumed his knapsack and musket, 
took leave of his entertainer, and 
was soon out of sight on the road to 
New Yorii. 

In this direction, however, he did 
not travel long; but took advantage 
of an abrupt angle in the road, to 
change his course; when, leaving the 
highway, he plunged into a thicket, 
and pursued his way, through a path 
less tract of country, in a northwes- 
tern dii'ection. 

He had heard of a Mr. Young, who 
resided within eight miles from 
White Plains, and knew him, from 
reputation, to be a warm friend to 
the American cause. With him. 
therefore, he determined to consult 
on the px'oper steps to be taken with 
respect to the arrest of these traitor- 
to their country. Owing, however, to 
the circuitous route he had adopted, 
to avoid the observation of his late 
associates, night had set in befoi'e his 
journey Avas half accomplished; and 
it was witli extrem? difficulty, that 
he "groped his darkling way" throtigh 
the wild and broken region that lay 
between him and the object of his 
pursuit. Hills were to be climbed, 
thickets penetrated, and sti'eams 
forded, before he could gain the road 
which was to conduct him to the 
mansion of Mr. Young. 

All these difficulties, however, were 
at length happily surmounted; but it 
was near midnight when he reached 
the end of his journey. Fortunately, 
the master of the house was still up 
and alone, his family having all re- 



tired. Crosby was a stranger, and 
the hour unseasonable; but such cir- 
cumstances were not unusual in those 
"stirring times." He was promptly 
admitted, and politely invited to take 
a seat; when Mr. Young, fixing on 
him a searching gaze, (as if anxious 
to penetrate into the secret recesses 
of his heart, and there to read his 
real character.) intimated that he 
was ready to learn the purport of his 
untimely visit. 

Crosby was aware that the inhabi- 
tants in that section of the country, 
had lost much of their former con- 
fidence in each other, and knew not 
whom to trust; he, therefore, hastened 
to explain the object of his intrusion, 
and relieve his host from the evident 
embarrassment his suspicions had 
created.* 

"I understand, sir," said Crosby, 
"that you are a friend to the 'upper 
party.'f Give me leave to ask if I 
have been correctly informed? Is it 
true?" 

"Yes, sir," promptly replied the 
other; "it is true. I am a friend to 
my country; and am not afraid or 
ashamed to avow it, to friend or foe." 

"I have always understood, sir, 
that such was your character, and 
rejoice to find that I am not deceived. 
Under this impression, I have taken 
the liberty to wait on you, for the 
purpose of communicating informa- 



* "The county of Westchester.'after the British 
had obtainert possession of the Island of New 
Yoi'k. iK'fiiiiK' eomiiion gminul, in wiiich both 
jiartlt'S coiitiiiucd to act for the remainder of tlie 
war of the revolution. A larjre proportion of its 
inhabitants, either restrained by their a.ttach- 
nients, or influenced by their fears, affected a 
neutrality they did not ahvavs feel."— ^>pjy. Vol. 
i. p. 2. • 

t As respects location, the Americans were 
always the "upper'' party, in the vicinity of New 
York ; for while they retained pos.sessicin of the 
city, the British were still below them, at Staten 
Island. The same relative position contiinied on 
I their retreat throuijh the county of Westchester. 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBT. 



35 



tion that may prove beneficial to the 
Americdii cause." 

"Go on, sir," returned the host, in 
a tone bordering on sternness, and 
without relaxing his features. "Pro- 
ceed; I am all attention." 

"Do yon know, sir, that there are 
traitors around you? — that even some 
of your neighbours are secretly con- 
certing plans to assist the common 
enemy in plundering and butchering 
their ©wn brethren and fellow-coun- 
tryjnen?" 

"I am well aware," returned Young, 
with a sigh, "that there are too many 
who feel secretly disposed to aid the 
cause of the enemy. But they dare 
not openly avow it." 

"That is true, sir." 

"O, that I knew them!" continued 
the host, with increasing animation, 
as he rose from his seat. "O, that I 
could designate them—point them 
out — name them! They should soon 
be linked together by closer and 
stronger ties than those which now 
connect them." 

"Tiien, sir," replied Crosby, with 
confidence, rising on his feet, and ap- 
proaching the other, "I have news 
that will interest you. I have just 
left a company of these wretches, 
after having spent three days with 
them, and know all their plans. 
Their intention is to join the 'lower 
party,' with whom they now hold a 
secret coi'respondence, and raise 
their parricidal hands against their 
bleeding country." 

"Is it possible!" 

"It is most true, sir. I know them 
all — have visited their families— at- 
tended their secret meetings-assisted 
them in maturing their nefarious 
phins." 

"Indeed! Then you yourself " 



" Understand me, " inteiTupted 
Crosby. "I have levelled this musket 
too often at the open and avowed 
enemies of my country, to be on 
terms of intimacy with her secret 
foes, except for the purpose of dis- 
covering and preventing their con- 
templated ti'eachery." 

Here Crosby gave a particular de- 
tail of the circumstances connected 
with his introduction to the members 
of this hopeful confederacy; par- 
ticulars with which the reader is 
already acquainted; and, as he pro- 
ceeded, the countenance of his audi- 
tor gradually brightened. As soon 
as he had finished, the latter seized 
him eagerly by the hand ; and, with 
sparkling eyes, exclaimed — 

"Is this true, upon the honour of a 
man?" 

"It is true, by Heaven!" returned 
the other; "and if you will assist me 
with your advice and co-operation, 
eight-and-forty hours shall not elapse 
until you are convinced by the testi- 
mony of your own eyes." 

"Come on, then, my good fellow!" 
exclaimed Young, seizing his hat. 
"The Committee of Safety are at 
White Plains, and thither we must 
proceed immediately. Follow me 
quickly, and I will be your pilot." 

Crosby was not backward in com- 
plying with this injunction, though 
already much fatigued by his recent 
journey; but promptly followed his 
hasty guide, on this midnight ex- 
cursion. Fences, rocks, and streams, 
were but slight impediments 

•To liearts resolved, and liiiihs inured to toil." 

and, before two o'clock, they found 
themselves at the end of their jour- 
ney, in the village of AVhite Plains, 
and in the presence of the honourable 
John Jay, one of the most vigilant of 



36 



THE SPY unmasked; OTl, 



the33 watchful guaraians of the pub 
lie safety. 

This gaatleman being made ac- 
quiintod with the forjgaiag par- 
ticulars, dismissed his informaut 
with a raqusst that they would re- 
main near at hand, for further in- 
structions, as he intended, at early 
dawn, to convene the committee, and 
hold a consaltitija on th.> important 
subject. 

Were we writing a rommce, in- 
stead of an authentic narrative of 
events wliich actually occurred, 
and could we command the descrip- 
tive pen of our inimitable Cooper, 
hero woull be the place to introduce 
a series of incid.mts which attended, 
(or might have attended,) the subse 
quent movements of our nocturnal 
adventiirers. Their difficulty in pi'o- 
curing comfortable quarters for th? 
remainder of the night; a description 
of the village inn, where they finally 
succeeded in rousing the lazy land- 
lord from his slumbers; the motley 
group which lay snoring on the floor 
of the bar-room ; a portraiture of the 
florid-faced landlady, and the various 
incidents resulting from this unex- 
pected ^'nterruption of her arrange- 
ments for the night, would, all 
together, form sufficient materials for 
an interesting chapter. But as noth 
ing of the kind has been promised 
in our title page, the reader must 
rest contented with a plain una- 
dorned narrative of such facts as our 
hero can actually remember at the 
advanced age of seventy-eight. 

The committee were convened at an 
early hour on the following morning, 
when Crosby was summoned before 
them, to recapitulate the particulars 
of his recent adventure. After hear- 
ing his statement, and consulting on 



the most pi'oper steps to be taken in 
the business, Crosby was requested 
to hold himself in readiness to ac- 
company a detachment of Rangers,* 
(on the ensuing night,) to the place 
where his recent associates were in 
the habit of holding their secret 
cabalr. 

The enterprise was crowned with 
complete success. Without dream- 
ing of molestation, these vile con- 
spirators found themselves suddenly 
surrounded by a troop- of horse, and 
compelled to surrender. Thus, in 
less time than our hero had specified, 
his friend Young had the satisfaction 
of seeing the whole cavalcade, linked 
together in pairs, safely conducted 
to priso 1, to the tune of the "Rogue's 
March." 

The successful result of this enter- 
prise, in.luced the committee to 
believe that the cause in which they 
had so zealously embarked, might 
be highly promoted by engaging a 
person of Crosby's acuteness and ad- 
dress in similar secret services. The 
proposition was accordingly made to 
him at a confidential interview. 

'•It was your intention," said the 
chairman, "again to serve your coun- 
try as a private in tlie ranks. Such 
a resolution, in a person of your 
character and abilities, could only 
have originated in motives of the 
pvirest patriotism. But you must 
now be convinced that much greater 
services may be rendered by pursuing 
a different, though certainly not a 
less hazardous, course. There is a 
sufficient number of brave fellows to 
repulse our open and avowed enemy. 
The g-reatest danger which now 



* Tlie-;e i-ansers were a coinpiiny of mounted 
men. re-iorveit p\i)re;siy for exigencies of tliis 
kiiiil, wlieiiever tliev should oeeur. and to go 
vvliex'ever the Couimittee should direct. 



MEMOIRS OP ENOCH CROSBY. 



37 



threatens this suffering country, is 
from her internal foes; those secret 
enemies who, in their midnight 
cabals, are plotting our destruction. 
He who succeeds in bringing such 
wretches to justice, deserves infinitely 
more of his country, than he who 
lights her battles. Are you willing 
to engage in such service?'' 

'•I am willing to encounter any 
danger, and make any sacritice, (my 
honour only excepted,) in the service 
of my country." 

'•It cannot be disguised that, in the 
service now proposed to you, even 
honour, in the general acceptation of 
that term among men, must also be 
sacrificed; but not so in the eye of 
that Being who reads the secret 
thoughts of the heart, and judges 
the motive instead of the act. He 
will approve, though man may con- 
demn." 

"It is, indeed, a hazardous part 
you would have me play. I must be- 
come a Spy." 

"In appearance only. Our bleed- 
ing country requires such service at 
this momentous crisis. We must 
tight our secret foes with their own 
weapons; and he who will magnani- 
mously step forward as a volunteer in 
that service, will merit a rich I'eward 
— and receive it, too, from Heaven, if 
not from man. If he falls, he falls a 
martyr in the glorious cause of 
liberty." 

"I will be that man," replied 
Crosby, with firmness. — "I have 
ccjunted the cost, and am aware of 
th3 danger. I know that I must be 
content to endure reproach, obloquy, 
and detestation; to cover my poor 
doating parents with shame and 
misery, and incur the hatred of those 
I dearest love. Pei'haps to suffer an 



ignominious death, and leave a name 
of infamy behind. I know it all, 
and yet I will not shrink from the 
task. I will encounter all— risk all — 
suffer all, if I can thereby serve my 
country. But there is one condition 

If I do fall in the discharge of 

this duty, you must pledge your- 
selves to do justice to my memory. It 
would be dreadful to die, and leave 
such a name behind me." 

"Of that rest assured," replied the 
chairman, not a little affected by the 
solemn earnestness of this appeal; 
"but we hope and trust that the 
melancholy duty will not be soon re- 
quired at our hands. We will furnish 
you with a pass for your protection; 
but it must never be exhibited save 
in the last extremity. Should you be 
arrested as an eramissary of the 
enemy, you shall be secretly fur- 
nished with the means of escape. 
But the secret of your real character 
must go no farther. Your dearest 
friend must not be intrusted with it." 

After furnishing their new agent 
with every necessary instruction, to 
gether with the promised pass, the 
committee adjourned, and Crosby 
immediately tet about making ar- 
rangements for his new undertaking. 
His musket was laid aside; and in- 
stead of a ktjapsack, he furnished 
himself with a large j)edlar's pad* 
containing a complete set of shoe- 
makers tools. Thus equipped, he 
sallied forth in quest of ad- 
ventures. His ostensible object, 
(in order to avoid suspicion,) was 
searching for employment; or what 
the sons of St. Crispin, at that period, 
termed "whipping the cat;" but, in 



* '"Harvey Birch had been a pedlar from his 
youth: at least, so lie frequently asserted."— 
Spy, Vol. i. p. 31. — 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



mora modern times, we believe it is 
called "cutting a stick." Whatever 
be th? genuine classical appellation, 
however, we mast leave our intinerant 
to pursue hi.-> peregrinations in the 
interior of Westchester county, while 
we take u peep at the army below. 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE SPY AND THE HAYSTACK. 

"Our foes shall fall, with heedless feet, 

Into the pit they made; 
Ani t'lrici psvUh in tlie net 

Waitili their own hands have spr.^ad.'" 

Imm3diately after the battle of 
Long Island, the retreat of the 
Americans, and the barbarous execu 
tiou of th3 bravo and unfortunate 
Hale,* the enemy made prompt dis- 
positions for attacking the city of 
New York. It was a serious question 
with Wtishington, whether that place 
was defensible against so formidable 
a force; it was IJnally decided, how- 
evei', in a council of w;ir, that it had 
become not only prudent, but neces- 
sary, to withdraw the army. 

Several of the enemy's ships of 
war having passed up the Hudson, on 
the west side of York Island, and 
also tip the East river, on the op- 
posing side, Sir Henry Clinton em- 
barked at Long Island, at the head of 
four thousand lueu; and, proceeding 
through Newtown Bay, crossed the 
East river, and landed, (under cover 
of five ships of war.) at Kipp's Bay, 
aboiit three miles above the city. 
Works of considerable strength had 
be.m thrown up at this place, to 
oppose the landing of the enemy; hut 
they were immediately abandoned by 
the troops stationed in them. Ter- 
ritied at the fire of the ships, they 
fled precipitately towards their main 
body, aud communicated their panic 



t Sob A:v3-i-lii, Nj. Vi. 



to a detachment which was marching 
to their support. 

Washington, to his extreme morti- 
fication, mec this whole party retreat- 
ing in the utmost disorder, and 
exerted himself to rally them, but, 
on tbe appearance of a small corps of 
the enemy, they again broke and fied 
in confusion! The General, who was 
not only mortified and distressed, but 
actually enraged at their cowardice, 
drew his sword and snapped his 
pistols to check them; but they con- 
tinued their flight without firing a 
gun ! 

For a moment, the feelings of 
Washington got the mastery of his 
reason. '"Are these the men with 
which I am to defend America'?" ex- 
claimed he, in a tone of bitterness, as 
he gazed after the recreant fugitives; 
then, turning his horse's head to face 
the advancing enemy, he remained 
for some minutes exposed to their 
fire, as if wishing, by an honourable 
death, to escape the infamy ho 
dreaded from the dastardly conduct 
of troops on whom he could place no 
dependence. His aids, and the con- 
fidential friends around his person, 
by indirect violence compelled him to 
retire. 

Nothing now remained but to 
withdraw the few remaining troops 
from New York, and to secure the 
posts on the heights. The retreat 
was efl'ected with very inconsiderable 
loss of man; but all the heavy ar- 
tillery, and a large portion of the 
baggage, provisions, and military 
stores, were unavoidably abandonee^ 

Major- General Putnam, at the head 
of three thousand five hundred con- 
tinental troops, was in the rear of 
the retreating arjuy. In order to 
avoid any of the enemy that might 



MSMOino or e:;och czo3li:, 



80 



be advancing in the direct I'oad to 
the city, ho made choice of a rout 
parallel with, and contiguous to, the 
North river, till he could arrive at a 
certain angle, whence another road 
would conduct him in such a direc- 
tion as that he might form a junction 
with the main army, it so happened, 
that a body of about eiglit thousand 
British and Hessians were, at the 
samo moment, advancing on the road, 
which would have brought them in 
immediate contact with Putnam, be- 
fore he could have reached the turn 
into the other road. 

Most fortunately, the British Gen- 
erals, seeing no prospect of engaging 
the Americans, baited their own 
troops, and repaired to the bouse of 
a Mr. Robert Murray, a quaker, and a 
whig. Mrs. Murray ti-eated them so 
hospitably with cake and wine, that 
they wera induced to tari-y two hours 
or more, during which time Tr3'on 
was frequently joking her about her 
American friends. 

By this happy incident, Putnam 
G5cap>d a rencouatre with a greatly 
superior force, which must have 
proved fatal to bis whole party, as 
one half hour would have been 
sufficient for the enemy to hare se- 
cured the road at the turn, and en- 
tirely cut off Putnam's retreat. Dr. 
Thacber, in relating this circum- 
stance, adds: ''It has since become 
almost a common saying, among our 
ofHicers, that Mrs. Murray saved this 
part of the American army." 

The enemy immediately took pos- 
session of the city, for the defence of 
which ha left a suitiible detachment, 
and then advanced towards Harlaem, 
in pursuit of Washington. The 
Americans now occuiDJed Kings- 
bridge, at the northwestern extremity 



of York Island, both sides of which 
had been carefully fortified; they 
were also in considerable foi'ce at 
M'Gowan's Pass, and Morris's 
Heights. A strong detachment was 
also i^osted in an intrenched camp, 
on the heights of Harlaem, within a 
mile and a half of the enemy. 

On the day after the retreat from 
New York, a considerable body of 
the enemy appearing in the plain lie- 
tweeu the two camps, Washington 
ordered Colonel Knowlton, with a 
corps of Rangers, under Captain 
Townsend, and Major Leitch, with 
three companies of Virginians, to get 
in their rear, while be amused them 
by making apparent dispositions to 
attack them in front. The plan suc- 
ceeded. A skirmish ensued, in which 
the Americans charged the enemy 
with great intrepidity, and gained 
considerable advantage. 

Knowlton was killed, and Leitch 
badly wounded; but their men be- 
haved with great bravery, and fairly 
beat their adversaries from the field. 
Most of these were the same men 
who had disgraced themselves the 
day before, by running away from an 
inferior force. Struck with a sense 
of shame for their late misbehaviour, 
they bad offered themselves as 
volunteers, and requested the com- 
mander-in chief to give them an op- 
portunity to retrieve their honour. 

In the mean time, Crosby was 
earnestly pursuing his new vocation; 
traveling about the country; and, 
with his characteristic acuteness,* 
becoming "all things to all men," in 
order to elicit such information as 



* •'Htirvey Bircli iiossesscd the conimou mnn- 
ners of tliP country, and was in no way distin- 
ifuished from men of his class, but by his 
acuteness -and the niysiery whicli enveloped liis 
movements.— Si>2/, Vol. i. p. 31. 



40 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



would enable the committee of safety 
to discrimiaaie between their real 
friends and their secret foes. Through 
his intimacy with the latter, (who, of 
course, hailed him as a kindred 
spirit,) he obt lined regalar informa- 
tion of the movements of the enemy 
below, and privately transmitted the 
same to his employers. 

As miy readily be supposed, the 
committee, at this time, were tremb- 
ling for the safety of the American 
army; and their well-grounded ap- 
prehensions were hourly increasing, 
when a secret communication from 
their new agent informed them, that 
the contest on the heights of Har- 
laem had fully retrieveJ the tarnished 
honour of the American arms; that 
their good conduct, at this second en- 
gagement, had proved an antidote to 
the poison of their example on the 
preceding day; and demonstrated 
that Americans only wanted resolu 
tion and good officers to be on an 
equal footing with their enemies. 
The committee were thus inspired 
with hopes, that a little more ex- 
perience would enable their country 
men to assume, not only the name 
and garb, but the spirit and firmness 
of soldiers. 

In one of Crosby's reconnoitering 
excursions, the approach of evening, 
and some fatigue of body, reminded 
him that it was time to look out for 
com'"ortable quarters for the night. 
There was no public house of enter- 
tainment within several miles, anrl 
only a few poor farm-houses, thinly 
scattered, within the whole circum 
ference of his vision. To one of 
these, therefore, he determined to ap- 
ply, for supper and lodgings. He 
accordingly struck off into a foot- 
path which led to the nearest; and, 



bending beneath the weight of his 
pack, advanced to the door, and 
knocked for admittance. 

A rosy-cheeked girl, of about fif- 
teen, just budding into maturity, of 
rustic appearance, and bashful de- 
meanour, at length appeared, with 
visible reluctance, to answer to his 
summons. On being made acquainted 
with his wishes, the timid maiden 
hesitated, stammered, and then sud- 
denly reti'eating; saying, as she 
closed the door, "I will ask mother, 
sir." 

In a few minutes, however, she 
again made her appearance, and 
bade him walk in. He did not wait 
for a second invitation; but followed 
his fair conductor into an apartment 
that served at once the two-fold pur- 
pose of parlour and kitchen. Here 
he reoeated his request to a middle- 
aged female, who sat in a corner of 
the capacious fire place, very busily 
employed with her knitting- work. 

"Lodging, did you sayf exclaimed 
the good woman, surveying her 
weary guest over the top of her 
spectacles. "We don't keep lodgings, 
sir." 

"I am very much fatigued, madam; 
and would be vsry grateful for per- 
mission to stay in your house till 
morning." 

"O well, I don't know," returned 
the old woman, rising from hjr seat 
and approaching the stranger to 
examine him more particularly 
"There's some strange works, now-a- 
days, and I don't like to keep any- 
body for fear of something. What, 
in mercy's name, is that great bag 
there?" 

"That, Madam, is my shop. I am 
a shoemaker, by trade, and am in 
search of work, with my shop, upon 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



41 



my back. WilJ you give me leave to 
dism(5uut it?" 

"Well, [ don't care if you stay long 
euoug-h to make our Johu a pair of 
shoes, for be is going over east, to 
See some men tliat are going down 
to the army next week." 

"Are they going to our array?" 
asked Crosby, as he disencumbered 
himself from his ponderous pack.* 

"I 'spose you mean the lower army; 
doij't you, sir?" 

"O, yes, madam; certainly," ans- 
wered Crosby, helping himself to a 
cliair. '•! mean the royal army, a 
large detachment of which is now at 
Tlirog's Neck. The rebel army has 
run away from York Island, and is 
now moving towards White Plains. 
But Howe will soon overhaul them, 
and give a good account of them, 
too, or I miss my guess." 

"Here, Sally! - Where are you? — 
Get this man something to eat. for 
his good news: and then see if the 
l,)est bed-room is put to rights, and 
make him as comfortable as you can." 

As a good loyalist, Crqsby was now 
made welcome to the best the house 
afforded. While he was thus refresh- 
ing himself, and chatting with his 
loquacious landlady, the good man of 
tlie house himself came home, to 
whom she eagerly introduced her 
guest as a warm adherent of his 
Majesty, and a swam enemy to the ! 
reb3ls. This assertion was alniudantly { 
confirmed by the remarks of Crosby I 
himself, during a long and interest- 
ing conversation on the subject of I 
(hat wicked rebellion against the 
m )ther country. 



* "At (irst siijlil his slroiiirtli seemed mi('i[u;i! j 
to lUiuin^e tlie unwieldy burden of his p;X'k: vet 
ln^ tlirevv it on ;iiul oil' \vitii gi-^at dexteriry. :ind | 
"■:*';i a', niurli apuarent ea>('' ;u if it had lieen | 

,:;her-^."-.Syjjy. To'. ;■. /;. si. 



In the course of this conversation, 
Crosby learned that a company was 
forming, about three miles east of 
that place, for the purpose of joining 
the British army. On his intimating 
a desire to become a member of this 
corps, his host readily agreed to 
introduce him to the Captain, in the 
course of the following day. He 
then conducted his guest to the best 
Vied in the house; and, wishing him 
a pleasant night's repose, left him to 
his own meditations, to dream of 
plots and counterplots, or any other 
subject that fancy might conjure up. 

Whatever might have been the 
character of his dreams, however, 
our adventurer arose the next morn- 
ing completely refreshed and in- 
vigorated; and, after partaking of a 
hearty breakfast, he accompanied his 
host to the residence of the tory Cap- 
tain before mentioned. On being- 
introduced, by his attentive guide, as 
a loyalist, who was desirous of serv- 
ing his Majesty, Crosby was most 
cordially received, and politely in 
vited to stay to dinner, and to spend 
the remainder of the day and the 
coming night tit the Captain''s house. 

This invitation was readily ac- 
cepted; and, in the course of the 
evening, Crosby wtis made acquainted 
with many interesting particulars 
relative to the plans and intentions of 
the Ctiptaiu and his confederates. 

On the following morning, at break- 
fast, the subject was again introduced, 
when Crosby was asked if he was 
ready to enter his name on the mus- 
ter roll. 

"I have not yet entirely made up 
my niind," replied he. "Such a step 
will necessarily be attended with 
considerable danger: for, in case I 
should be ttikeu by the Americans, 



42 



THE SPY unmasked; oe, 



and my name known, they would 
hang me as a traitor." 

"Were there any solid grounds for 
such an apprehension," replied the 
other, "you would only incur that 
risk in common with us all. Bat the 
I'ebels dare not resort to such ex- 
tremities, for fear of a terrible re 
taliation." 

"It may be so," returned Crosby. 
"But I think I should rather go down 
without entering my name on the 
roll; unless, indeed, I could first 
examine, and see if there are any 
names of my acquaintance on it." 

"That privilege shall b© cheerfully 
gr.mted you," said the Captain, pro- 
ducing a long Toll of signatures, and 
handing the same to his visitor, who 
ran over them with a satisfaction 
which he took good care to conceal; 
for he readily perceived, to use his 
own expression, that there was a "tine 
haul for his net." After attentivyly 
examining every name, he rolled up 
the list, with an air of disappoint- 
ment; saying, as he returned it to 
the Captain, 

"I shall beg to bo excused, sir. 
They are all strangers to me; and it 
is not impossible that this roll may 
one day fall into the hands of the 
Americans. Besides, I can just as 
well go down without enrolling my 
name." 

"Well, sir," replied the Captain, "I 
have a safer way yet, for those who 
are influenced by similar apprehen- 
sions with yourself. I put five or six 
names on one slip of paper, which I 
then conceal beneath a large stone in 
my meadow. I have several such de- 
posits. Come along with me, and 
say what you think of the plan." 

So saying, hf' arose from the tible, 
and, accompanied by his guest, sallied 



out into a lai'ge meadow, at some dis- 
tance from the house. After visiting 
several spots where these secret mus- 
ter rolls werj deposited, he directed 
the attention of h:s companion to a 
hay-stack of enormous dimensions, 
and asked him what he thought of it. 

"I think it would prove a great 
temptation to a rebel foraging party," 
answered Crosby,after a short silence, 
and with some covert humour which 
cost him an exertion to conceal. f 

"It probably would," obs.'rved the 
other, "were such parties abroad. 
But it would be dilitieult for the best 
mathematician among them t'>> deter- 
mine its solid contents by measiiring 
its superficies. It is a mystery worth 
penetrating into. Let me instruct 
you." 

With these words, the speaker 
lifted up the hay, on one side of the 
huge edifice, and discovered a small 
opening which led to the interior of 
the excavated pile. Fond of adven- 
tui'e, Crosby entered without hesita- 
tion, and found himself in a most in- 
genious hiding place, of suificient 
capacity to contain forty or tifty men, 
comfortably seated. 

"What think you of thatf" asked 
the proprietor of the hay. as his 
guest emerged from its interior. 
"Would the rebels ever think of look- 
ing for you there?" 

'T think not," replied the otlic^r, 
with an inward chuckle, as he sur- 
veyed the exterior of the premises 



T "Wiioii e;i,u;;i.iie(l in lii-; ordinai-y liusiiiess, 
tlic iiilr'Ui^ciu-e of his tare a!>!i";ii-t'('| iwcly. ae- 
tivi'. am! tlexililo. thou.uli luu-oirniionly acute: if 
till' (tdiiviTsalioii turned on tlie oidinary tran- 
sactions of lite, liii air heeanie aWstracied anil 
restless: but if, by einiuce. tiie I'evolulion anil 
the country were the tonic, liis whole system 
seemed jiltered- all his faculties were co'neen- 
ti'ated— he would listen for a great lenjiUi of 
time without spi'akin.n'. and then would break 
silence l)y some light :in<l jocuhir renuirks. lliat 
were too nnicli at viiriaMce w it!i his foruiei- u:;ui- 
iw)\ not to be affectation."'— .Spy, Vol. i. p. :ii. 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



43 



very atteutivply. "I should as soon 
tbiak of sfurcliiDg for a needle in a 
bayinow." 

The Captain smiled with much 
solf-complacency at this brief ap- 
proval of his invention, and then re 
newefl his solicitations for Crosby to 
enrjll his name. The latter, howevei', 
still hesitated, l)at promised to give a 
deiiuite answer on the following 
day. With this assurance the other 
rem lined satisfied, and the remainder 
of tiiat d ly was devoted to ruaking 
farther arrangements for the con- 
temj,)lated expedition. 

Night soon returned, and Crosby 
was still the Captain's guest. At 
the usual hour, he retired to his bed. 
whera he lay, listening attentively to 
every movement in the house, until 
he felt perfnctly assured that the ' 
family were safely locked in the arras 
of sleep. When '"every sound was ! 
hushed, and all was still,'" he , 
cautiously ai'ose. dressed himself, and 
stole out of the house, without giving 
any alarm. Before midnight he was 
consulting with hi.>« employers at 
White Plains. 

Such arrangements wer(? immed- 
iately adopted by the Cosnmittee of 
Safety as were considered, by all 
parties, appropriate to the emergency. 
Their infornjant then took his leave; 
and. before daylight, was again snor- 
ing in his bed, at the house of the 
loyal Captain. 

On the following morning, he in 
forini^d his entertainer that he had 
made up his mind as to the subject of 
th.?ir recent conversation. He was 
willing and anxious to become a 
member of the company; and would 
hold himself in readiness to march 
with them at a moment's warning: 
but should decline signing his name 



to the muster-roll until they had 
safely arrived within the British 
lines. The Captain appeared satisfied 
with this arrangement, and expressed 
a hope that every thing would be 
prepared for their departure on the 
following day. 

'Would it not be advisable, then," 
asked Crosby, "to call a general meet- 
ing of the company this evening"? — 
There is much to do, and it is neces- 
sary that we act in concert. .When 
we are all togeihn-, cnir plans can be 
better digested, as we shall have the 
opinion and advice of each individual. 
Such a meeting is indispensable be- 
fore we go down, and there is cer- 
tainly no time to be lost." 

'•The idea is a good one," replied 
the Captain; "and every man shall 
be notified to meet here this evening, 
when we will complete our arrange- 
ments, and be ofi" to-morrow. You 
must assist me in calling them to- 
gether." 

(Crosby readily consented to exert 
himself on this occasion; and went 
about the business with such cheer- 
ful alacrity, that, before nine o'clock 
in the evening, the whole company 
were assembled m the Captain's par- 
lour, with the exception of the lieu- 
tenant, who had gone f]-om home on 
some terapox'ary business. 

By ten o'clock the business of the 
meeting was nearly all completed; 
and the usual refreshments were 
about being introduced, when the at- 
tention of the party was sudderdy 
arrested by the loud trampling of 
horses. 

The lights were instantly extin- 
guished ; and they all sat in breathless 
silence; every heart palpitating with 
fearful anticipations of some un- 
pleasant adventure, until they were 



44 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



aroused to action by a voice at the 
door exclaiming — 

'•Surrender! or you are all dead 
men!" 

At that instant the door was thrown 
from its hinges, and the apartment 
was filled with the American Rangers, 
all heavily armed. 

''Surrender! I demand it in the 
name of the continental congress!" 
exclaimed the leader of these unwel- 
come intruders. "Resistance is use- 
less, and escape impossible, for the 
house is surrounded. You are oar 
prisoners." 

Words are inadequate to depict 
the general consternation produced 
by this alarming salutation. Some 
flew to the attic; others retreated as 
precipitately to the cellar; and all 
most devoutly wished themselves in 
the bowels of the hay-stack, as there 
was nothing to hope from the bowels 
of theii captors. Several attempted 
to throw themselves from the win- 
dows; but were soon convinced that 
there was no chance for escape in 
that direction. — The secret, but un- 
suspected cause of all this conf asion 
and dismay, made a feint of conceal- 
ing himself in a closet; but was 
quickly dragged forth, and compelled 
to share the fate of his companions, 
who were manacled together in pairs, 
and marched, like felons, to the vil- 
lasre of White Plains. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE ESCAPE. 

To be the mark 

Of sinoky muskets! O you leiiden messengers. 
That ride upon the violent speed of (ire, 
Fly with false aim. 

ShAIvKSVKAKE. 

The historic events connected with 
the name of White Plains, will long 
live in the pages of American history; 
and if the readers have patience to 



accomxDany us through a few more 
chapters, he will acknowledge that 
there is sufficient cause for this last 
ing celebrity. At present, we merely 
wish to introduce him to the scene of 
so many important transactions. 

Bronx river, a beautiful stream of 
water that rises just on the south 
line of Newcastle, in the county of 
Westchestei", holds its course nearly 
due south to the village of West 
Farms, from whence it empties into 
the East river, between Morrissania 
and Throg's Neck. A few miles east 
of this stream, and nearly parallel 
with it, is another called Mamaroneck 
creek, which empties into Long 
Island Sound, near a village of the 
same name. 

Between these two little rivers, and 
near the head of the latter, is the 
township of White Plains, com prised 
in an area of about eight and a half 
square nxiles; with Northcastle on 
the north, Harrison on the east, 
Scarsdale on the south, and Greens- 
burgh on the west. On a fine plain, 
near the centre of the town, stands 
the iionrishing little village, of the 
same name, which has been the 
theatre of so many revolutionary in- 
cidents. The reader will recollect 
that we left our prisoners on the 
march to this place, under a strong 
escort of Townsend's Rangers. 

On arriving at the village, where 
the Committee of Safety were still in 
session, awaiting the result of the en- 
terprise, each of the prisoners under- 
went a partial examination, which 
resulted in their being ordered to 
Fishkill, there to await a more formal 
investigation. Our hero was pri- 
vately r^'minded that he must stiU 
continue to support the character he 
had assumed, until his arrival at 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBT. 



45 



their place of destination, when some 
means should be provided by which 
he might effect his escape, without 
awakening any suspicions as to his 
real character. 

On the following morning, the 
whole party resumed their journey, he meekly replied, 
in the same order as before. After a ; "You see me as I am. 
march of about twenty- five miles, explanation to off'er." 
they arrived at Peekskill, a small vil- j "Good God! Is it then true that 
lage on the eastern bank of the Hud j you have turned traitor to your coun- 
son, where they took boats, and i try, and are now a prisoner to her 
crossed the river to Fort Montgom- 1 brave defenders! It cannot be. There 



sible! — Explain this horrid mystery! 
— How is it that I see you in this 
situation?" 

Crosby instinctively returned the 
friendly pressure of his tutor's hand ; 
then casting his eyes on the ground, 



I have no 



ery.* Here the prisoners were per- 
mitted to remain a short time, for 
rest and refreshment. And here our 



must be some dreadfiil mistake. 
Speak, and relieve me from this fear- 
ful suspense. Have you been con 



hero encountered the most distressing cerned in the secret plots for which 
incident that he had ever yet ex- i these men are now in custody?" 
perienced. i "Were it not so," replied Crosby, 

On entering the fortress, the first j with a slight tremor in his voice, "we 
person he recognized was his former ! should both have been spared the 
tutor, the worthy gentleman of vvhom pain of this interview." 
a brief notice was taken at the con | "O, who shall tell your poor old 
elusion of our first chapter. The j father this!" exclaimed the other, 
recognition was mutual; but the cir [dropping his pupil's hand, and 
cumstances under which the meeting clasping both his own together in 
took place, rendered it peculiarly ; agony, while the big tears coursed 
painful to both parties. I each other down his furrowed cheeks. 

The worthy preceptor started with ' "What will be the feeling of your 
terror and astonishment, on behold- 1 doatiug parents, when they learn 
ing his favorite pupil, the son of his ! that the son to whom they looked as 
dearest friend, manacled like a felon, i the pride and prop of their declining 
and dragged to prison, with a gang j age, has proved unworthy of the care 
of unprincipled wretches, under the ; and affection which have been so 
ignominious charge of treason to i freely lavished upon him! That he 
their country! He gazed for a mo- j has forgotten the precepts of his 



raent, as if unxvilling to believe his 
senses; then, advancing to the 
pri.ioner, and seizing him by the 
hand, he exclaimed, with an einotion 
that it was impossible to conceal, 
"Enoch Crosby ! — It cannot be pos- 



* "This fort was tolerably situated on the 
western liaiilc of the Hu(ts<»n. to annoy shipping 
going np the river; the works were pretty good 
on tliat ,side, bnt were not so. nor fnllv eoni'pleted 
Oil the back side."- HeuNi's Memoirs, p. 129. 



father —the lessons of his teacher — 
and is a convicted trator to his coun- 
try! The news will break their 
hearts.'' 

For the first time, Crosby now felt 
the full weight of the cross to which 
he had voluntarily lent his shoulder. 
He felt — and it almost crushed him. 
Eut it was too late to recede; he had 
put his hand to the plough, and dared 



46 



THE SPY unmasked: OR 



not look back. With a groan of an- 
guish, he lifted up his manly form 
beneath the load. The effort was 
desperate, but it was successful. 

"Spare me," he faintly articulated, 
as he brushed a truant tear from his 
eye, and turned to accompany his 
fellow-captives to their quarters. 
"There is one who knows — who 
judges— who approves. He will com- 
fort my parents. Farewell." 

So saying, he departed with the 
rest, leaving his good old tutor to la- 
ment an apostacy as unexpected and 
inexplicable as it was mortifying and 
distressing. The old gentleman im- 
mediately despatched a letter to the 
elder Crosby, in which he communi- 
cated the afflicting intelligence with 
as much caution, delicacy, and gen 
tleness, as possible. It was a blow 
for which the parents were not pre- 
pared; but it is notour province to 
portray their feelings on the occasion. 
We must accompany the son. 

From Fort Montgomery, the pris- 
ouars were again embarked, and pro- 
ceeded up the river, through the lofty 
and sublime scenery of the High- 
lands, and between those Herculean 
pillars of the Western world, which 
are supposed to have been once uni 
ted in an adamantine barrier across 
the present course of the majestic 
Hudson. Leaving West Point and 
Butter-Hill on the left, and the Col- 
lossean break neck,* St. Anthony, on 
the right, a beautiful campaign 
country opened at once upon their 
view. Here the pleasant villages of 
New Windsor, Newburgh, and Fish- 
kill, with the smiling landcapes be- 
yond them, presented a charming 
contrast to the rude scenery which 



• See 4th note in Chapter IX. 



our voyagers had just left behind 
them. 

On reaching the mouth of Fishkill 
creek, on the east side of the Hud- 
son, nearly opposite Newburgh, the 
prisoners were landed; and from 
thence proceeded on foot, under their 
former escort, along the delightful 
valley,then thickly studded with trees, 
through which that stream pursues 
its sinuous course to the river. A 
march of five miles brought them to 
the beautiful little village which was 
to terminate their journey. 

Here the captive loyalists were 
committed to prison; or, raiher, con- 
ducted to church, for such was the 
edifice which the peculiar circum- 
stances of the times had converted 

I 

\ into a strong hold for the safe keep- 
I ing of prisoners of war. It was a 
low antiquated building, in the 
Dutch style of architecture, with 
enormous thick walls of rough stone, 
pierced with two rows of arched win- 
dows. The main building was an 
oblong square, with a square tower 
attached to the eastern extremity, 
from the top of which arose a modest 
Gothic steeple, surmounted by a ball 
and weathercock. The principal en- 
trance was in the centre of the south 
side, fronting the road which led 
from the village to the river. 

Instead of the sepulchral yew, 
with which romance has invariably 
embellished such consecrated ground, 
a number of luxuriant willows here 
cast a melancholy' shade among the 
rustic memorials of departed worth. 
Here it was that little groups of 
villagers were wont to assemble on a 
Sabbath morning; and, while they 
awaited the appearance of their pi- 
ous clergyman, reverently discuss the 
local news and politics of the day. 




OLD REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH, FISHKILL, N. Y., 

IN WHICH CROSBY WAS IMPEISONED. 

[See Pages 46 and 145.] 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CBOSBT. 



47 



But, alas! even the hallowed rites 
of the sanctuary must sometimes give 
place to the blighting footsteps of 
ruthless war! That roof which had 
so often resounded with the language 
of "peace, and good will to man," 
was now re-echoing with the curses 
of disappointed malevolence. The 
stone church had become a prison, as 
its more humble neighbor (a wooden 
church without a steeple) had, for 
similar reasons, been converted into 
a hospital, for the sick and wounded. 
If this be sacrilege, of what was that 
British General guilty, who protitu- 
ted an elegant church in Boston to 
the purposes of a stable! But this 
is digression. Our present business 
is at Fishkill. 

This pleasant little village (situated 
in a township of the same name), is 
in the county of Dutc'.iess, north of 
the Highlands, and about five miles 
east from the Hudson. It consists ef a 
handnoma collection of neat white 
farm houses, with here and there a 
mansion of more ample dimensions 
and showy exterior. These biiildings 
are principally on a semi -circular 
street, a little north of a correspond- 
ing bend in the stream before men- 
tioned; and in the midst of them, on 
a little plain, are the two churches, 
rising with modest dignity above the 
elevation of the humbler mansions 
around them. 

The first appearance of this vil- 
lage, in approaching it from the 
south, is picturesque in the extreme. 
After toiling, for fifteen miles, among 
the rugged hills and shapeless rocks, 
between which the road winds its 
serpentine course; when there ap- 
pears no prospect of a speedy ter- 
mination to the traveller's fatigue; 
and when his impatience begins to 



despair of relief; at that moment, 
the village and plains of Fishkill 
suddenly open upon his view with 
the effect of enchantment, afifording 
an amp^e compensation for all his 
previous anxiety and perplexity. 

Although this is the oldest village 
in the county of Dutchess, it was but 
thinly populated at the time of which 
we are writing. The Marquis de 
Chateleux, who visited it four years 
afterwai'ds, when it had become the 
principal depot of the American ar- 
my, says: ''There are not more 
than fifty houses in the space of 
two miles." He adds, however, that 
the American magazines, hospitals, 
workshops, &c., "form a little town 
of themselves, composed of hand- 
some large barracks, built in the 
woods at the foot of the moun- 
tains." It is well known, that Fish- 
kill possessed all the qualities neces- 
sary for a place of military depot, at 
this critical period; being situated 
on the high road from Connecticut, 
near the river, and West Point, that 
"Gibraltar of America;" and pro 
tected, at the same time, by a chain 
of inaccessible mountains, which oc- 
cupy a space of more than twenty 
miles between the Croton river and 
that of Fishkill. 

But whatever local advantages, or 
rural charms, this village might have 
boasted in the year 1776, they were 
all lost on the wretched inmates of 
the stone church. The Committee 
of Safety had arrived from White 
Plains, and were now in session, at a 
farm house within a few rods of their 
prison. Thither were the newly-ar- 
rived captives conducted, one by one, 
to undergo a second private examin- 
ation. The muster-roll, and other 
papers, found on the person of their 



48 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



leader, were considered as a sufficient 
testimony of their traitorous inten- 
tions; they were, therefore, remanded 
to prison to await a more formal in- 
vestigation before a competent tri- 
bunal. 

Crosby, in his turn, was also placed 
at the bar of this military inquisi 
tion. On entering the apartment 
where his employers were seated in 
all that magistei-ial dignity which 
surrounds, or is supposed to sur- 
round, the stern arbiters of life and 
death, he affected such extreme re- 
luctance to advance, as rendered it 
necessary for the officer in attend- 
ance to compel him to proceed. With 
clanking chains, and an aspect of va- 
cant despair, he at length approached 
the awful bar, and tremblingly 
awaited the pleasure of his judges. 
A lui-king smile was visible in each 
of their visages; but the prisoner ap- 
peared to be too much agitated with 
terror to observe it. 

As soon as the officer had re- 
sumed his station on the outside of 
the door, however, and Crosby was 
left alone with the Committee, the 
characters were changed; for they at 
once lost the gravity of judges, and 
laughed outright at a scene which so 
neaily approached the ludicrous. 
When their merriment had a little 
subsided, they highly commended 
Crosby for the effective manner in 
which he had performed his part, and 
the important service he had thereby 
rendered to his country. They then 
consulted with him on the best mode 
of making his escape; and requested 
him, when that was effected, to re- 
pair, with all possible diligence, to 
Wappinger's Creek, and pall upon 
Mr. *,***, who would furnisii him 
with further instructions, as " there 



ivas business for him on the other 
side the Hudson.'''' 

Crosby signified his readiness to 
continue in this hazardous and disre- 
putable service; but suggested the 
propriety of his assuming a different 
name, in order to pi'osecute it with 
greater effect. The Committee ap- 
proved the idea, and it was finally un- 
dei'stood between them, that all com- 
munications from their secret agent 
would, in future, bear the signature 
of "John Hmith.'" 

As soon as these preliminaries were 
all duly adjusted, the Committee re- 
sumed their former stern deportment, 
and Crosby his fictitious character. 
The officer re-entered, and, in obedi- 
ence to orders, led his trembling pris- 
oner back to the church. 

On the approach of night, a com- 
petent number of soldiers were de- 
tailed for the prison guard, some of 
whom were stationed in the basement 
of the tower, to guard the eastern 
entrance of the building. On the 
outside, four armed sentinels were 
posted in as many different positions, 
corresponding to the four cardinal 
pointsofthe compass. The remainder 
of the little force then in the village 
were in barracks, at a short distance 
from the church. 

In entering and leaving his prison, 
Crosby had hastily reconnoitred the 
premises without; and after his at- 
tendance on the Committee, he lost 
no time in making his observations 
within. He soon ascertained that 
there was only one avenue through 
which an escape could be attempted 
with the least probability of success; 
,and that was a window at the extreme 
northwest corner, which was partially 
obscured by the thick foliage of a 
large willow that grew near it. 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



49 



Screened from observation by the 
friendly gloom of this tree, he 
thouL,'ht it practicable to pass the 
sentinel, and clear the churcb-yard 
in safety. Or, should he not be able 
to elude the vigilance of the guard, 
still the uncertainty of his aim in that 
shadowy position, would leave little 
to appi'ehend from the discha^'ge of 
his musket. At all events, ho deter- 
mined to mike the experiment. 

Hai'assed in mind, and fatigued in 
body, the prisoners soon availed 
themselves of such indifferent accom- 
modntionsas their situation afforded; 
and, before the "noon of night," 
there were few, besides Crosby, who 
were not fast locked in the arms of 
sweet forgetfulness. But, as Hamlet 
says. 

Some must watcli, while others sleep, 
So runs this woi Id away. 

When every sound was Imshed, 
save the discordant nasal chorus of 
the unconscious performers around 
him, Crosby arose from his counter- 
feit slumbex", and cautiouslj'^ ap- 
proached the window, from which he 
had previoiTsl}' su-Jceeded in remov- 
iag tha fastenings. Without noise, 
he r xised the sash, 

■•And, that they might not clank, held fast his 
chains." 

In the next raomen,t he was safely 
seated on the soft mould of a newly 
covered grave, busilj^ employed in 
divesting his limbs of their iron 
bracelets. When this was accom- 
plished, he cautiously raised himself 
upon his feet; and, knowing that a 
thick swamp lay within one hundred 
rods, northwest of the church, he 
started in that direction with as 
much speed as the uneven surface of 
a burying ground would permit. 

He had not proceeded tifly ptices, 
however, before he was suddenly 



challenged by a sentinel on his right. 
Hesitation would have been fatal. 
The swamp was before him -the path 
had become plainer— he darted for- 
ward with the celerity of a deer. 
The whizzing of a bullet and the re- 
port of a musket saluted his ear at 
the same moment; but he considered 
the salutation merely as a friendly 
warning not to relax his speed. The 
race was for life or death; for the 
alarm was given, and 'ithe chase was 
up." Three or four more leaden 
messengers,* each as harmless as the 
first, passed him in quick succession; 
and, as if emulating their velocity, 
he xjursued them with accelerated 
swiftness. The pursuers wei'e be- 
hind—but the friendly swamp was 
in front, extending its bushy arms to 
I'eceive him. One more effort — He is 
safe ! 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE MOUNTAIN CAVE. 

Honour and policy, like unsevered friends, 
I" the war do grow together.— S/tafc;ipeare. 

While the foregoing events were 
transpiring in the vicinity of the 
Highlands, transactions of higher im- 
portance and on a much larger scale, 
were going forward forty miles below. 
It was an important object with 
W^ashington to secure the roads and 
passes that communicated with the 
eastern states; to prevent which Howe 
had left New York, with the greater 
part of the royal army, by the way of 
Hurlgate, and landed, as before men- 
tioned, at Thi'og's neck, in W^estches- 
ter county. It was evidently the de- 
termination of th® British General, 



* "Fifty pistols lighted the scene instantly, 
I aTid the bullets whistled in every direction 
I around the head of the devoted pedlar.l'— Spy, 
■ Vol. i, p. 138. 



50 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



either to force the Americans from 
their position on York Ishind, or to 
enclose Ihem in it. 

Aware of his design, Washington 
removed a purt of his troops from 
York Island to join those at Kings- 
bridj^e; and, at the same time, de- 
tached some regiments to Westches- 
ter. It still appeared to be his in- 
tention, however, to retain that part 
of the island which he now occupied; 
aud there was cert linly a prevailing 
disposition among the officers gener- 
ally to do the s ima. But ths gallant 
Loe, who had just returned from a 
successful expedition at the south,* 
gave such convincing reasons for 
evacuating the island altogether, that 
it WHS imm 'diately resolved to with- 
draw the bulk of the army. 

He also urged the expediency of 
evacuating fort Washington;! but in 
this he was opposed by Greepe, who 
argued that the possession of tkat 
post would divert a large body of the 
enemy from joining their main force; 
and in conjunction with fort Lee, on 
the opposite side of the river, would 
bj of givat use in covering the trans- 
portntion of provisions and stores, 
up the Hudson, for the service of the 

♦Some ti)ne previous to tlie evaouatioi) of 
Bost'in, Sir lleury C.iiitoii hud been sent soutli- 
ward, to the assistaiKe of (Jovenior Martin and 
Lord William Caniphell, Covernors of tlie two 
Carohuas. As soon a.s^tlus was known in ("ani- 
bridge, Lee was ordered to set forward and ob- 
serve his movement ■!, and prei)are to meet liim 
with advantage, in any part of the eontinent he 
might thhik proper to visit. On reaching \ew 
York, with his detachment from Tamliridge. Lee 
put tlie eity in a state of defence, and proceeded 
south with sui'li lia-ile. tliat. to the astonishment 
of Clinton. Lee was in V'irghiia before him. Hut 
as the object of the Rritish armament was still 
further south, Lee, with uncoiinnon celerity, tra- 
verse<l the continent, met Clinton in Nortji (\ir- 
olina, and was again readv for tlu' defence of 
Sullivan's Island. nearCharleston. in South Car- 
olina, before the arrival of the l*>ritidi troojys, 
under the eouunaud of Clinton. The Americans 
were .triumphant, and the discomllted enemy 
was glad to retire to the general rendezvous be- 
fore >few-York. 

+ This fort was situated on the bank of tlie 
Uudiou, in the vicinity of Kingsbridge. 



American troops. He added further, 
that the garrison could be brought 
oflf at any time, by boats from the 
Jersey side of the river. 

Unfortunately for the cause, the 
opinion of Greene prevailed. Though 
the system of evacuating and re- 
treating was generally adopted, an 
exception was made in favor of Fort 
Washington, and near threethousand 
men were assigned for its defence. 
An unfortunate error, as will appear 
in the sequel; for, as Adjutant-Gene- 
ral Read afterwards said, in a letter 
to Lee, "If a real defence of the lines 
was intended, tlie number was 
too few; if the fort only, the garri- 
son was too numerous by half." 

In retreating from York Island, 
the American leader was careful to 
make a front towards his enemy, 
from Eastchoster almost to White 
Plain.s, in order to secure the march 
of those who were behind, and to do- 
fend the removal of the sick, the 
cannon, and the stores of the army. 
In this manner, the Americans formed 
a line of small, detached, intrenched 
•amps, on the several heights and 
strong grounds, from Valentine's 
Hill, near Kingsbridge, on the right, 
to the vicinity of the White Plains, 
on the left: the whole, of course, 
fronting eastward. 

In the mean time, the enemy was 
not idle; although he had, apparently, 
been so, for several days after his 
landing at Throg's Neck— which is a 
kind of mole or point, connected with 
the main by a longcau3eway,throu^h 
a marshy tract of considerable extent. 
His spies, however, had been on the 
alert; and the tirst movement of 
Washington was the .signal for Howe 
to commence his favourite scheme of 
circumvention. 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



51 



Flushed with his recent victory on 
Long Ishind, the British General ar- 
dently longed to grapple, once more, 
with his discomfited opponent. But 
Washington wisely considered that 
the pr'ze at stake was of too much 
value to be risked on the fortuitous 
result of a single contest, under his 
present disadvantages of numbers 
and discipline. He, therefore, cau- 
tiously avoided a general engage- 
ment, while his troops were daily 
acquiring confidence and experience 
by skirmishing with their enemies. 

After several unsuccessful attempts 
to pass the causewaj' before men- 
tioned, which was strongly guarded 
by the Americans, the British crossed 
to the other side of Throg's Neck, em- 
barked on board their boats, crossed 
over the cove, and re-lauded on a 
place called Pell's Neck. From thence 
th«y commenced a brisk movement 
towards New Rochelle.J Three or 
four American regiments were im- 
mediately sent forward to annoy 
them on their march. — These took a 
good position behind a stone fence; 
and when the advance of the enemy 
had approached sufficiently near, 
poured such a well directed fire upon 
his columns, as caused many of his 
finest troops to bite the dust. This 
unexpected assault not only checked, 
but even caused the advancing party 
to fall back; but, being immediately 
supported, they returned vigorously 
to the charge. For a short time, the 
action was sharp, and well supported; 
but the Americans were finally 
obliged to give way to superior force, 
and the enemy pursued his march al- 
most to New Rochelle, where he 
halted. 

t New Kdchflle is aluuit five miles soutli of 
White riniiis, and is waslied on one side by the 
waters of tli'.^ East river, or Long Island Sound. 



Shortly after this affair, Howe re- 
moved the right and centre of his 
army two miles farther north, on the 
road to White Plains. During this 
movement, a skirmish took place be- 
tween two hundred of Lee's men and 
three hundred Hessians, in which the 
latter suffered considerably. The 
British then moved on, in two 
columns, and took a position with the 
Bronx river in front;* upon which 
Washington assembled his main force 
at White Plains, behind intrench- 
ments. 

Thus, like two skillful chess-players, 
did these able Generals manoeuvre 
their men; while the theatre of their 
movements, like an immense chess- 
board, was crossed with lines, and 
chequered with redoubts and in- 
trenchments. But an important crisis 
in the game was now evidently at 
hand; one more move must, appar- 
ently, decide it. Heaven gi*ant that 
it may be "checkmate to the king." 

But while thes* two gallant op- 
ponents ai*e thus sternly looking 
defiance at each other, both CM^gerly 
watching for an opening to strike, it 
is our duty to return to the fugitive 
whom we left in the swamp, near the 
village of Fishkill. 

Crosby remained secure in his 
place of concealment, until every 
sound of alarm and pursuit had 
ceased; he then proceeded, with no 
little difficulty, to grope his way 
through bushes and brambles, quag- 
mires and morasses. He doubtless 
reasoned with himself, on this occas- 
ion, as iEsop's fox is said to have 
done, under similar circumstances: 
"For the sake of the good, let me 
bear the evil with patience; each bit- 
i^v has its sweet; and these brambles, 
* See Chapter VII, 2d paragraph. 



52 



THE SPY UNxMASKED; OR, 



though they wound my flesh, pre- 
serve my life from danger." 

After much exertion and fatigue, 
he succeeded in emerging from the 
thicket; and, fortunately, on the side 
opoosite to where he entered. He 
then pursued his course northward, 
with the speed of one who is sensible 
that every step removes him farther 
from danger. 

In less than two hours he found 
his course impeded by a stream, 
which be rightly conjectured to be 
Wappinger's Creek, the boundary 
line between Fishkill and Poughkeep- 
sie.f 

Agreeably to the instruction he had 
received from the Committee, he now 
turned to the left, and a short half 
hour brought him to the residence of 

To be suddenly aroused from bed, 
by som3 histy messenger, at any 
hour of the night, had become so 
cjinmon an occurrence, since the 
commencement of hostilities, that 
this gentleman evinced no symptoms 
of surprise or alarm, when he ap- 
peared at the door, in his night gown 
and slippers, to answer to the knock 
of his untimely visitor. A few brief 
sentences, exchanged in a low voice, 
convinced both that they were tread 
ing on safe ground. Crosby was, 
therefore, requested to enter and be 
seated, while the other retired to re- 
sume such habiliments as were better 
adapted to the purposes of business. 

On the return of his host, Crosby 
was informed tliat his coming had 
been anxiously waited for, as the 
Committee had intimated that he 
might be expected before midnight. 
Refreshments were then introduced; 



t Tills uvme is saiil to hive been deriveil from 
the IiiiUaii word Apokeepsiug, signifying '"safe 
hajbour." 



and while the weary traveller was 
diligently employed in appeasing the 
cravings of a voracious appetite, his 
entertainer proceeded to ''open the 
business of the meeting.'' 

It appeared, that Mr. ***** had re- 
ceived certain information that an 
English officer was privately enrolling 
a company, on the other side of the 
river. This fact he had communicated 
to the Committee of Safety, on their 
arrival at Fishkill; and they had 
agreed to send him an agent with 
wiiom he might concert some feasible 
plan for seizing the officer, and mak- 
ing prisoners of his men. 

This being a business in which 
Crosby, to use his own expression, 
felt himself "perfectly at home," he 
readily entered into the scheme, and 
undertook to see it accomplished by 
his own ingenuity and address. This 
proposition was gladly acceded to by 
his host, who gave him such instruc 
tions as would tend to facilit ito the 
project; and, before daylight, our 
hero was safely landed on the western 
bank of the Hudson, in the town of 
Marlborough, a little north of New- 
burgh. 

Agreeably to the directions he had 
received, Crosby immxliatelj struck 
into the country, in a southwestern 
course from the river; and, after pro- 
ceeding tabout twelve miles, applied 
at a farm-house for refreshment. 
! Here a comfortable breakfast was 
I cheerfully prepared for him; and, 
] while partaking of it, he received 
I such topographical inforaiatioa, as 
j convinced him that he had reached 
1 the right spot to commencj opara- 
I tions. 

1 After finishing his repast, th':>re- 
I fore, ho began to make himself known 
I as an itinerant shoemaker, in pursuit 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CR0SB7. 



53 



of work; and intimated a wish of be- 
ing employed to make shoes for the 
farmer or his family. 

"I wish to do something to pay my 
way," added Crosby, with an honest 
simplicity, which he well knew how 
to assume; "as I don't like to be be- 
holden to any one for a meal's vict- 
uals, or a night's lodging." 

"That's all very right," returned 
the farmer; ''every honest man would 
wish to live by hi? own airnens." 

"Well, don't you think that you 
could give me something to do for a 
few days? If you are not in want of 
shoes, I wouldn't care to turn my 
hand to anything." 

"Why, yes," replied the other, after 
a little reflection; "I rather guess 
that I should like to have you work 
for me a day or two. It is true, I 
have no shoemaking to do at present; 
but if you can help me on the farm, 
in killing hogs, and sich like, I should 
like to have you, and my wife shall 
assist you." 

Crosby readily consented; and, as 
there was no cavil on the score of 
wages, the bargain was soon struck. 
He accor<lingly went to work with 
that characteristic diligence and 
assiduity which was always certain 
to win the approbation of his em- 
ploj'ers. 

But though his whole time and at- 
tention appeared to be devoted to the 
duties of his new vocation, his grand 
object was never lost sight of. At 
every fitting opportunity, he strove, 
by sundry indirect, and apparently 
indifterent, inquiries, to elicit some 
information from the family, that 
might assist in the prosecution of his 
ulterior designs. For two days he 
was unsuccessful; but. on the third, 
he was indebted te accident for what 



his ingenuity had been vainly exerted 
to obtain. 

It was a mild morning, near the 
close of October, that Crosby and his 
employer were making some arrange- 
ment for the business of the day, 
when their attention was arrested by 
a sound that resembled distant thun- 
der. It came from the southeast, 
from whence a light air was breath- 
ing; but neither cloud nor rack ap- 
peared in that quarter. 

"Can that be thunder?" asked 
Crosby. 

"I should rather guess not," re- 
plied the other: "we seldom have it 
so late in the fall. It is more likely 
the two parties are skrimmaging be-, 
low." 

"They must be skirmishing to some 
purpose," observed Crosby. "That is 
the language of artillery, and not of 
the smallest caliber. And yet," con- 
tinued he, in a soliloquizing tone, 
"they cannot be abo^ e the Plains." 
Then, turning to his companion, he 
inquired if he thought the report of 
cannon could be heard so far. 

"Why, yes, I should say so," replied 
the other. "From here to White 
Plains is only about forty miles, in a 
straight line; and in the last French 
war, when General Abercrombie was 
beat at Ticonderoga, the cannon was 
heard at Saratogue, which is over 
fifty miles, as plain as we hear these." 

The sounds still continued, withoiit 
much intermission, while both re- 
mained silent, and listened with in- 
terest. At length Crosby ventured 
to observe — 

"They must have warm work be- 
low. Both parties must loose blood 
whichever gains the day." 

"Ah! these are awful times!" sighed 



54 



THE SPY unmasked; OB, 



the otbeit — "There's no telling how it 
will end." 

"What do you think of all this 
business?" asked Crosby, in a tone 
that did not indicate much interest 
in the question. 

"Why, really, I don't know what to 
think," replied the other, evasively. 
"Sometimes I think it is a very 
doubtful case with "as; and then, 
again, I,nlmost think. If I had a good, 
chance, and no family to support, 
that I would just gj down to the 
lower party. But, you know, it won't 
do for me to say so." 

"Perhaps you couldn't get down 
there safe, if you feit ever so mnch 
disposed to go." said Crosby, in a 
tone that might be considei-ed in- 
terrogatory or not, as the auditor 
pleased. 

"O, yes, I could," returned the 
other, with a significant leer, that in- 
timated the speaker knew more than 
he was at liberty to communicate. 

Like a keen pointer, Crosby had 
now scented the game, and was de- 
tei'mined to peMevore in the pursuit, 
he, therefore, promptly answered— 

"Well,;. I wish that / couM; for I 
believe tihat I might do better there 
than by staying here." 

The other turned on him a look of 
cautious scrutiny; but, reading noth- 
ing in his ^countenance to excite 
suspicion,, he ventured to observe--^ 

"I can telj you, if you promise not 
to expose me, how you can get there 
if you wish." 

"Of course, I will not expose you; 
for how cctii. I, without exposing my- 
self ? I will be much obliged to you 
if you will assist ,m.o :in going down, 
so that I may not ba detected by the 
rebels." 

"Well, then I will, tell you," re- 



turned the other, with renewed con- 
lidence; at the same time looking 
cautiously around, in every direction, 
to ascertain that no listeners were 
near. "Do you see yonder mountain? 
On the west side of it is a curious 
little cave, that's been dug o' purpose; 
but you might pass it a hundred 
times without knowing there wassich 
a thing there. In that cave, an Eng- 
lish Captain keeps himself concealed: 
and we, who ai"e in the secret, supply 
liim with every thing that heart can 
wish. He is recruiting among the 
Highlands, and has nearly got his 
company filled." 

"I will ofter myself immediately," 
exclaimed Crosby, with a sudden 
animation, that might have excited 
suspicions in the mind of a keener 
observer than his companion; who, 
without noticing it, immediately re 
piied — 

"Well-^-I will tell you just whex'o 
you can goto find him; or, wait till 
after dark, and I will go with you." 

"That will be the very thing," re- 
turned our hero, inwardly chuckling 
at the success of his manoeuvre. "B3^ 
joining his company, I can go down 
in safety." 

"No doubt of it. But we must be 
veiy cautious. In these times, every 
one is watching his next neighbour." 

"You may depend upon my 2>ru- 
dence," returned Crosby. "I have 
n© inclination to get into the hands 
of the rebels again; it was at the 
hazard of uav life that I escaped from 
them at Fishkill." 

"What! have you really been taken 
by them? Why, how in nature did 
you get away?" 

Crosby here recapitnlat^id the par- 
ticulars of his escape fi'om the stone 
church, and then added — 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



55 



"They are obstinate dogs, for, jou 
Lear, they are at it yet." 

"Let the riglars get them at close 
quarters, with the baggonet, and the 
rebels will stand no chance," replied 
the other. "They must be at long 
shot now, -or the skrimmage would, 
not last so long." 

Hero the convei'sation ended; and, 
separating to pursue their respective 
avocations, they met no more till 
sapper time. After which they set 
out. according to agreement, to seek 
an interview with the military hermit 
in the "cave of ihe mountain." 

On arriving at the western side of 
the lofty eminence which our hero's 
conductor had pointed out to him in 
the morning, they paused near a 
clump of dwarf cedai's which grew at 
its base. In front of them was a dark 
IcK^king object, which proved to be a 
iiuge rock, cleft in twain by some 
concussion of the elements, or by a 
precipitate descent froni the dizzy 
steep above it. With a heavy stick, 
which the farmer carried with him, 
he struck several blows, in quick suc- 
cession, on the "fl-it surface of the 
rock; and, in a short time, a bright 
ray of light daited from behind it, 
and gradually inci-eased in brilliancy. 
In the next moment the object of 
their visit stood before them, with a 
sm;ill hmthern in his hand, by the 
aid of which he took a critical survey 
of his visitors without speaking. He 
then bid the farmer welcome, who 
promptly introduced his companion 
as "John Smith, a faithful friend to 
his majesty," and instantly disap- 
peared. 

The Captain received Crosby very 
cordially; and after numerous in- 
quiries, to all of which he received 



plausible and satisfactory answers, 
he at length exclaimed — 

"Well, sir, you appear to have limb 
and muscle, and would make a devil- 
ish good looking soldier. I should 
like to have you in my corps of High- 
landers, which have just been col- 
lected. Come, what say 3'ou?" 

"I have not the least objection," 
replied Crosby; "and as I have no 
fixed home, or jDlace to go to, I should 
like to stay with you; for if the rebels 
catch me again, they will show me no 
mercy." 

"Agreed!" exclaimed the Captain, 
after eyeing him sharply for a few 
monaents. , "You are a d — — d honest 
looking fellow, and I'll try you. 
Come, sir; see if you can double up 
that gigantic carcass of yours so as 
to get into that hole," pointing to the 
mouth of an artificial excavation in 
the mountain, just behind the cloven 
rock, which Crosby had not before 
observed. 

The new recruit instantly obeyed 
the orders of his supei'ior, and found 
himself in a small, comfortable, well- 
furnished apartment, with seats, and 
other conveniences, suitable for two 
or three persons. In the centre of 
the flcor, stood a small round table, 
liberally supplied with a great variety 
of cold meats, pastry, bread, butter, 
cheese, and every other kind of eat- 
ables that the neighbouring farm- 
houses could furnish. But what the 
occupant of the caVe most earnestly 
commended to the attention of his 
guest, was a large jug, or rather its 
contents, which he swore was as fine 
Madeira as had ever graced the table 
of Sir Harry, or even his lordship 
himself. 

"Come, my good fellovv, help your- 
self," said the hermit, pushing the 



56 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



jug to his new proselyte, after filling 
his own goblet to the brim. "D — n 
me, but you shall lire like a fighting 
cock, for the few clays longer that I 
have got to burrough in this hole. A 
health to his Majesty, and success to 
the good cause." 

"With all ray heart," exclaimed 
Crosby, and drained the goblet. 

As our hero now appears to le 
very comfortably situated, in a strong 
hold, with plenty of provisions for 
the garrison, we will venture to leave 
him there for a few days, while we 
revisit the scene from whence pro- 
ceeded those "sounds of war," which 
gave rise to the conversation tbat 
ultimately brought about the present 
chancre in his circumstances. 



CHAPTER IX. 

CHADERTON'S HILL. 



-This day hath made 



Much work for tears in many an English mother, 
Whose sons lie scattered on tlie t>leeding ground ; 
Many a widow's husband grovelinj; lies 
Coldly embracing tlie discoloured earth. 

Shaks. King John. 

We left the two hostile armies, in 
front of each other, at White Plains, 
with souls "in arras, and eager for 
the fray." On the morning of the 
28th of October they still retained 
the same position, sharply watching 
each other's motions. 

In the mean time, a commanding 
eminence, on the southwest of the 
American carap, had caught the at- 
tention of W^ashington; who, know 
ing the iraportance of strengthening 
his position, resolved to reconnoitre 
the ground immediately. He, accord- 
ingly, ordered such of his general 
officers as were not on duty, to attend 
him, and rode to the spot; but, on 
examination, found it not so suitable 
for his purposes as he had antici- 
pated. 



"Yonder," said Lee, pointing to 
another eminence on the north, "is 
the ground we ought to occupy." 

"Let us, then, go and view it," re 
plied the commander-in-chief; and 
away they posted as fast as their 
mettlesome steeds would caiTy them. 

They had not proceeded far, how- 
ever, when a light horseman was seen 
coming up, on full gallop, his steed 
almost out of breath. Hastily salut- 
ing the General, he exclaimed — 

"The British are on the camp, sir!" 

"Then, gentlemen," said Washing- 
ton, "we have other business than re- 
connoitring. Follow me!" 

So saying, he put spurs to his 
prancing charger, and galloped to 
the camp, swiftly followed by his 
well-mounted Generals, Lee, Heath, 
and the rest. On arriving at head- 
quarters, the party were met by the 
Adjutant General, the Gallant Read, 
who hastily addressed his com 
mander — 

"The guards, sir, have been all 
beat in, and the whole army are now 
at their respective posts, in order of 
battle." 

Washington, on hearing this,turned 
coolly to his officers, and dismissed 
them with this brief order — 

"Gentlemen, you will repair to 
your respective posts, and do the best 
you can."* 

Here they separated, each officer 
repairing to his own division, which 
he found in the lines, firmly awaiting 
the charge, which had already com- 
menced on the right of the Americans, 
by a column of Hessians, the forlorn 
hope of the British army. They 
were commanded by General de 
Heister and Colonel Rhal, who di- 



* See HeatU's Memoir's. 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



57 



rected their first attack against the 
Americans that were posted on an 
eminence called Chaderton's Hill, 
commanded by General M'Dougall. 

The cannonade now become brisk 1 
on both sides. Suddenly, theionemy's j 
right column, consisting of British | 
troops, under the command of Gen- j 
eral Leslie, appeared in the road 
leading to the court-house, in front of 
Heath's division, on the American 
left. This advancing column was 
preceded by about twent> light-horse 
men, in full o;allop, brandishing their 
swoi'd?, as if they intended to decapi- 
tate I'Ycry Yankee they could reach. 
Without hesitation, they leaped 
the fence of a wheattield, v.t the foot 
of tlie hill on which the brave Mal- 
colm's regiment was posted; of which 
circnmstance the cavaliers were not 
aware, until a shot from a field-piece 
struclv in the midst of them, and un- 
horsed one of the i:arty without cere- 
mony. 

This being a hint that the gentle- . 
men could not well misunderstand, j 
they wheeled short about and gal- 1 
loped out of the field as as fast they 
came in; nor did they slacken their 
speed until a friendly hill left noth- 
ing but the tips of their nlumes for 
Malcolm to waste his fire on. 

Whether it was owing |to this cir- 
cumstance, (the precipitate flight of 
his horse,) or to previous arrange- 
ment, it is certain that the British 
column advanced no farther up the 
road, but suddenly wheeled to the 
left, by platoons, as fast as they came 
i\p; and, passing through a bar or 
gatewa.v, directed their head towards 
the troops on Cluulerton's Hill, al- 
ready engaged with the Hessians. 

The appearance of this column of 
well disciplined troop.-^, the flower of 



the British army, was truly imposing. 
Their brightly polished arms, brist- 
ling with bayonets, glittered in the 
siinbeams with almost a dazzling 
lustre. —What a contrast to their un- 
disciplined opponents, the American 
militia, who, with rusty muskets, 
irregular accoutrements, and scarcely 
a bayonet to a platoon, stood before 
them undismayed, and (even when 
vanquished) unsubdued ! 

The cannonade still continued brisk 
across the Bronx; the Americans 
firmly retaining their position on the 
hill, and the enemy directing all his 
energies to dislodge them. Con- 
vinced, at length, that long shot 
would never effect the object, pre- 
parations were made to come to 
closer quarters. 

For this purpose, a part of the 
enemy's left column, composed of 
British and Hessians, forded the 
river, and marched along, under 
cover of the hill, until they had 
gained sufficient ground to the left of 
the Americans; when, by facing to 
the left, their column became a line 
parallel with their opponents. In 
this order they ascended the hill with 
a quick movement. 

The fire fi'om the British artillery 

now ceased, of course, in order not to 

endanger tlieir own men. who were 

bravely advancing to charge the 

Americans on the summit of the hill; 

but the fire of the musquetry between 

1 the two parties was so rapid and in- 

; cessant, that it was impossible to dis- 

■ tinguish the sounds. 

: The Americans finally gave way 

before superior disciplin<\ and 

movf'd off" the hill , in as good 

order as could have been expected. 

The British ascended the hill very 

slowly, but in that close compact or- 



58 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



der for which their infantry are so 
justly celebraterl. There is no doubt, 
however, that every man felt glad 
when he had reached the sumiuit, 
where they formed and dressed their 
line, without evincing any disposition 
to pursue their retreating foe. 

The fact is, both parties felt per- 
fectly willing to rest awhile after the 
fatigues of the day. It is true, that 
obtaining po'^session of the contested 
eminence gave the British great ad- 
vantage over their opponents; but, 
feeling too sore to pursue this advan- 
tage, they were content to let things 
rcmiin as they were for the present. 

During this action, which ouglit to 
be called the "Battle of Chaderton's 
Hill," several hundreds fell on both 
sides. It was a waste of lives, with- 
out much advantage to either party. 
In the midst of the engagement, how- 
ever, the American baggage and 
stores were moved off in full view of 
the British army.f 

Washington soon after changed his 
front, by drawing back the right and 
centre of his forces to some hills in 
his rear, and leaving the left wing in 
its former position; thus forming a 
line nearly east and west, fronting 
his enemy on the south. In this 
eligible position he expected and de- 
sired an action; but the enemy did 
not see fit to make the atteujpt. He 
afterwards withdrew the whole army 
to the heights of Northcastle, about 
five miles above AVhite Plains, near 
the Connecticut line, where his 
position was so strong that Howe 



t "The brunt of \h\> battle," s.ays Sliallus. 
"was sustained by tlio American General 
M'DougaU, p >ste(l oil the ri;;ht of the American 
iirmv. who nobly sn^taineM hi-; post with six 
Imndred mea, a.;iiast the r.riti-ih arniv, thonj^h 
basely de-ieited by I'oar regiaients of iiiil-tia. 
who fled on the approach of two huadrcd and 
flity light horse." 



found it necessary to adopt an entire 
new plan of operations. 

In the mean time, Crosby was en- 
joying ease 'and luxury in the "cave 
of the mountain," which was regular- 
ly supplied with provisions by sev- 
eral farmers who secretly favored the 
royal cause. He found the Captain 
to be a good-humoured jovial fellow, 
somewhat coarse in his mariners, but 
not a disagreeable companion. As he 
and Crosby lived and messed to- 
getlier, tliey were, of course, on the 
most familiar terms of intimacy; it 
will, therefoi'e, be readily conceived, 
that the latter soon made himself ac- 
quainted with every particular of the 
other's plans. 

"In three days, my lad, we shall 
cross the Highlands," said the Cap- 
tain, gaily, as he folded a letter 
which had just been handed him by 
our hero's late employer. 

"In three days," repeated the other. 
"Let mo see — that will be Tuesday, 
as this is Saturday." 

"Yes, this is Satui'day, and to- 
morrow will be Sunday, when your 
motely psalm -singing rebel army will 
be chaunting hallelujahs through 
their noses; that i.s, if our cavalry 
didn't shave off those vocal appen- 
dages at White Plains." 

"According to the letter you have 
just read to me, it wc>uld seem that 
some of the royal cavalry have been 
even closer shaved by the rebels in 
Heath's division," returned Crosby, 
with a slight indication of humour in 
his countenance. 

"By Heaven!" exclaimed the Cap- 
tain, "you look and talk as if you 
were glad of it." 

"I should be glad to have been in 
their situation," said Crosby, drily. 

"Where?— Behind the hill?" 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



59 



"No — I would hjive cleared the 
hill, and made for the Heaih."'' 

"Good by *** ! If the flash of 
your musket be like that of your wit, 
you will be an honour to the corps." 

"Wit sometimes wounds a friend." 

'•Then there the comparison ends, 
for your musket will only be levelled 
at the rebels. But come; let's to 
business. Do you know whei'e the 
little heap of earth stauds which the 
Yankees call Butter Hill?"* 

"Yes — at the north entrance of the 
Highlands, opposite St. Anthonj'^'s 
face.^f 

'"True — and were that break-neck 
rock a real living saint, and the op- 
posite hill composed of genuine 
Goshen butter, d — n me, biit the 
saint's mouth would water. But, as 
I was saying, ou the western side of 
t'jat mountain, (for so we would call 
an eminenoe of tifteeu hundred feet 
in England,) is a lonely barn, belong- 
ing to a gojl loy.nlist, and a d d 

fine fellow. To that barn we must all 
go on Tuesday evening; and, after 
taking au hour's rest in the hay-mow, 
j)ursue our course to the royal lines. 
To-morrow you and I will bid good- 
bye to this cursed hole, as my friend 
S**** has generously offered to ac- 
commodate the whole of us, until we 
march." 

H-iving nothing to oppose to this 



* This is ;i lii.uh c-obhlp iiill, on tlie wesr sido of 
Hiulsiin rivet-, (itiimsilc Breakneck Hill. These 
are the iiorliiern hills of the Higlihiiid eliain. 

t .S'f. Antlnnii/\-< Face is on tiie south si.le of 
Breakneck Hill, at I lie north entrance of the 
Highlands, sixty iniles from the citv of N'ew 
York. Its name is derived from a ludicrous re- 
send)lance of a Colossal human face, as seen 
from the river. The rock whicli has this a)i- 
l)earance, exhibits a ;rood lu'ofile of a face of 
tidrtv-two feet, aideil by a little fancy, and a 
relish for the marvellous" A tree which irrows 
upon tlie c)un. jir-;t reaches the hoiiiiit of the 
eyes, and kindlv siircails its liranclies for the 
eye-i)ro\vs of the saint. Tlieie is anoilicr pro- 
montory, opposite the site of Fort .Montgomery, 
live miles below West Point, wliich is called St. 
Anthonv's Nose, bi:t the resemblance is less re 
iiiurkable. 



arrangement, Crosby made no objec- 
tion; and Sunday evening saw the 
wholrt corps (about thirty) assembled 
at the house of Mr. S****. 

But how was the Committee of 
Safety to be made acquainted with 
these circumstances"? This was a 
question that, for some time, baffled 
the ingenuity of our hero; as he was 
aware that he could not absent him- 
self a moment without exciting sus- 
picions. At length, however, he hit 
upon a plan, and hastened to put it 
into execution. — Taking the Captain 
apart, he thus commenced it: — 

"I am apprehensive, sir, that our 
being hei*e altogether may turn out 
to be bad policy." 

*'Your reasons Jack, your reasons," 
said the other, with a dramatic air. 
"The devil's in't if we are not retix'ed 
enough; there's not a neighbor within 
a mile." 

"It is just such retired situations 
that Townsend's Rangers are always 
searching. They seldom seek for 
organized companies of loyalists in 
populous villages." 

"D — n To\vnseo<rs Rangers! They 
are o^ er the river." 

"That's not certain. They are ev- 
erywhere by turns, and no where 
long. But let us suppose the worst. 
If the rebels should discover us, and 
surprise us altogether, the whole corps 
is at once annihilated. But if we 
dispei'se until the hour of marching, 
they can only pick up one or two. and 
the main body will remain safe." 

"D — n me. Jack, but you shall be 
my orderly. Y'^our advice is good, 
and we will separate immediately. 
I No one shall know where another 
I sleeps, and that will prevent treach- 
i ery. There's an improvement of my 
! own, Jack. Go — choose your own 



60 



THE SPY UNMASZED; OR, 



lodgingo; and you need be at no loss 
in this bundling country of yours. 
But recollect, here we all muster at 
seven o'clock, on Tuesday eveniDg." 

Witli these words they separated; 
when Crosby lost no time in repair 
iug to the house of a man whom he 
knew to be a warm friend, to the 
country, and desired him to saddle 
his hors3 instantly, and carry an ex- 
press to the Committee of Safety, at 
Fishkill. The other co.nplied without 
hesitation; and, while he was pre- 
paring for the jouroi^, our hero 
wrote the following communication: 
"To the Committee of SifAy : 
''Gentlemen— 

'•I hasten this express to re- 
quest you to ord^r Captain Town- 
send's company of Rangers' to repair 
immediately to the barn, situated on 
the west side of Butter-Hill, and 
there to secrete themselves until we 
arrive, which will be to-mori'ow even- 
ing, probably about eleven o'clock; 
where, with about thirty tories, they 
may find, 

"Your obedient servant, 

"John Smith." 

Monday evening, Nov. -1, 1T7G. 

As soon as this express was des- 
patched to Fishkill, Crosby repaired 
to the house cf his former emploj'er,^ 
where he remained until the hour ap- 
pointed on the following evening; 
when (his messenger having returned 
with an answer), he rejoined his 
company, wiiich was now assembled 
at the house of Mr. S*"*-"'\ Every 
thing being arranged for their de- 
parture, they took leave of their loyal 
host, and cautiously proceeded across 
the country, to Cornwall, where they 
forded Murderer's Creek, and soon 
reached the solitary barn where they 
contemplated to rest in safety. 



Completely jaded by their long and 
rapid march, every one was eager to 
secure a snug berth in the hay, in or- 
der to snatch an hour's repose before 
they resumed their journey. Our 
hero nestled down with the rest, 
close to the side of the building; and, 
in a few minutes, he was the only in- 
dividual awake. 

In about an hour ho heard some 
one cough on the outside of the barn. 
This, being tlie preconcerted signal, 
was immediately answered by Crosby, 
thi*ough an opening between the 
boards; and, in the next moment, the 
building was filled with armed men, 
headed by Captain Townsend, accom- 
panied by Colonel Duer, one of the 
Committee of Safety, who had given 
the siguid before mentioned. 

'"Surrender!" exclaimed Townsend, 
in a voice that startled' every drowsy 
slumberer from his rustling couch. 
"Surrender! or, by the life of Wash- 
ington, you have taken your last 
nap on this side of the grave!" 

No resistance was attempted, for 
none would have availed against such 
fearful odds. Some gave rip without 
hesitation, while others endeavored 
to conceal themselves in the hay; but 
they were soon dragged forth, and 
mustered on the barn floor, where 
several of the Rangers were stationed 
with lanterns. 

"Who commands this band of he- 
roes?" demanded Townsend. 

"I do," answered the Englishman, 
promptly and proudly. "T have the 
honor to bear his majesty's commis- 
sion, and demand your authority for 
this arrest and detention." 

"The authority of the continental 
congress, whose commission I have 
the honor to bear," answered Town- 
send: "I shall, therefore, trouble 




THE WHAKTON HOUSE, FISHKILL, N. Y. 

[ See pages 61 and 147.] 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



61 



you for such papers as you may have 
in your possession; we pledge our- 
selves, however, that nothing of a 
private nature shall be detained." 

The Englishman reluctantly com- 
plied with this military usage, and at 
Townsend's request, proceeded to call 
his own men by the muster-roll. At 
the name of Enoch Crosby no an- 
swer was returned. 

"Search for him with your bayo- 
nets!'' exclaimed Townsend, and fifty 
blades were instantly plunged into 
as many different sections of the hay 
mow. Our hero now began to think 
it high time to show himself, and ask 
for quarter. 

On descending to the floor, the first 
person he recognized was Col. Duer, 
a member of the Committee, who had 
accompanied the party for the ex- 
press purpose of afi"ording Crosby an 
opportunity to escape; but this gene- 
rous intention was completely frus- 
trated by the zeal of Townsend, who 
instantly knew the prisoner, and 
seized him with an arm as muscular 
and sinewy as his own. 

"Well met, again, old comrade!" ex- 
claimed the Ranger, with a smile of 
triumph. ''You showed us a light 
pair of heels at Fishkill; but if I do 
not see them made sufficiently heavy 
this time, may I never be a Major." 

"Who is he?" inquired Duer, affect- 
ing ignorance of the prisoner's per- 
son. 

"Enoch, the patriarch," returned 
Townsend, smiling at his own con- 
ceit. "He who disappeared from the 
church in Fishkill, almost as mj'ste- 
riously as his ancient namesake is 
said to have done from the earth." 

"It is true, he did play us a slip- 
pery trick," observed Duer, who 
thought it necessary to say some- 



thing. "But we cannot blame the 
poor fellow for consulting his own 
safety." 

"Poor!" echoed Townsend. "If he 
be poor, John Bull must pav him 
ill." 

"Yes, indeed," said the Lieutenant, 
who felt his own honor a little 
piqued at Crosby's former escape: 
"King George owes him a duke- 
dom." 

"And Congress a halter," added 
the Captain, as he resigned the silent 
subject of these sarcasms to two men, 
who soon shackled his limbs in such 
a manner as to prevent the possibil- 
ity of his again giving them the slip. 

As soon as the prisoners were all 
secured, the party were ready to 
march ; and, "to shorten a long story," 
as Crosby quaintly expressed it, not 
many hours elapsed, before he found 
himself in full view of the stone 
church at Fishkill. 

But Crosby, it appears, had for- 
feited the protection of the church; 
for while the other prisoners were 
conducted into that fi'iendly asylum, 
he was compelled to march a mile 
further, to a farm house on the east 
side of the plain, which lies in front 
of the village. 

Here he was permitted, to halt; 
and soon discovered that it was not 
only the temporary headquarters of 
Captain Townsend, but the perma- 
nent residence of Mr. Jay, chairman 
of the Committee of Safety. This 
circumstance, however, was not likely 
to operate in his favor, as Townsend 
immediately adopted such prompt 
measures to prevent the escape of his 
prisoner, as evinced the deep inter 
est that officer felt in his detention. 
Crosby was placed in a I'oom by him 
self, and a guard detailed for his se 



62 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



curity, comprising some of the most 
vigilant members of the corps. 

All men must eat at times, and 
Captain Townsend had fasted for the 
last twelve hours. Under such cir 
cumstances, it is not surprising that 
he awaited the preparations for sup- 
per with no little degree of impa- 
tience. This feeling, however, was 
frequently beguiled and diverted by 
the frank, free, and insinuating ad- 
dress of a rosy -cheeked lass, who, on 
this occasion, officiated in the capac- 
ity of house-maid. The Captain was 
no anchorite, and the maid appeared 
to be scrupulously attentive to his 
most trifling wants; until he became 
so completely absorbed with love, 
wine, and broiled chickens, that he 
forgot there was such a man as 
Enoch Crosby in the world. 

But Miss Charity was too liberal in 
her ©pinions of right and wrong to 

"Feast the rich, and let the humble starve." 

She very considerately reflected that 
the sentinel at Crosby's door, might 
probably be as sharp set as bis Cap- 
tain; and, under this impression, 
without consulting the superior, pre- 
pared him another chicken, which 
she accompanied with a bottle of 
Jay's best old French brandy. How 
the ranger relished the joke was 
never accurately ascertained; but one 
thing is certain, that, owing either to 
the quality or quantity of the liquor, 
he actually fell asleep on his post. 

About midnight, our hero was 
aroused from an unquiet slumber, by 
a gentle shake of the shoulder. On 
opening his eyes, he beheld the figure 
of -a female bending over him, with a 
dark lantern in her hand. 

"Follow me, without speaking," 
said she in a whisper; "and hold fast 



by them ugly things, that they don't 
make a noise." 

Crosby instinctively obeyed in si 
lence, and followed his fair conduc 
tor from the apartment. For a mo- 
ment he paused to gaze at the snor- 
ing sentinel, while Charity carefully 
closed and locked the door. She then 
led the way through a small garden, 
in the rear of the house, and pointing 
to the West Mountain, against the 
side of which the moon was pouring 
a stream of mellow radiance, she bid 
him haste to seek a shelter amidst its 
almost impenetrable fastnesses. 

"But how have you effected this?" 
asked the bewildered and astonished 
prisoner; "and what will be the res nit 
to yourself, and that careless senti- 
nel?" 

"Fear nothing, for either," hastily 
replied the girl; "but hasten to the 
mountains. I shall instantly return 
the key to Townsend's pocket, who is 
himself snoring on the sofa. Dr. Mil- 
ler's opiates are wonderfully powerful 
when mixed with brandy. Now, fly 
for your life! The sentinel shall be 
on his feet when the relief comes. 
You have not a moment to lose. I 
shall be at Hopewell by the time the 
alarm is given. Not another word — 
I want no thanks — Jay is your pro- 
tector-Fly!" 

With these words she disappeared 
in the house. 

The heavy shackles with which our 
hero's limbs were encumbered, allow- 
ed him to move but slowly. The coast 
was perfectly clear, however, and the 
moon illumined the whole of the 
plain before him. No obstacle ap- 
peared to oppose his progress to the 
mountain, which, rising like a huge 
pyramid, seemed to invite his ap- 
proach. He advanced with conti- 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



63 



dence, but with tardiness and fatigue, 
until he reached a Jittle thicket on 
the left, where he determined to stop, 
and, if possible, free himself from 
his fetters. This object being effected, 
after much exertion, he bounded for- 
ward with a heart as much lightened 
as his heels, until he found himself 
beyond the possibility of pursuit, 
among the intricate passes of that 
gigantic eminence. 

On the following morning, Town- 
send found liimself refreshed, the 
key in his pocket, and a trusty senti- 
nel before the door of his prisoner's 
apartment. There was no other out- 
.let to the room except a window, 
closed with a strong shutter, and 
guarded by another sentinel on the 
outside. No alarm or noise had been 
heard by any one during the nighty, 
and what doubt could there be of the 
X^risoner's safety ? 

But words are inadequate to a de- 
scription of Tovrnsend's feelings, 
when, on taking the key from his 
pocket, and unlocking the door, the 
apartment was found evacuated and 
without a tenant. The guard were 
all summoned, but evei'y one pro- 
tested his ignorance and innocence 
of the prisoner's escape; and all uni- 
ted in expressing their surprise that 
a man in irons could creep up the 
chimney. But there was no other al- 
ternative; if he did not escape that 
way, in which way could he have 
made his egress from the apartment? 

Captain Townsend could not for- 
give this second deception. He felt 
that his honour, as an officei", was im- 
plicated; and inwardly swox'e that if 
Enoch Crosby became his prisoner 
again, a very summary process should 
put an end to his career.* 



CHAPTER X. 

THE SECRET PASS. 

\Vt^ must (iiiil 
Am evident calamity, tlioiigli we liad 
Our wish, wiiicli side slioulcl win: lor either thou 
Must, as a foreign recreant, lie led 
AVitli manacles tlii()ui;li our streets, or else 
T)-iuniphantly tread on tliy country's ruin. 
SJinkit. (^(jrltAmiiin. 

As soon as our hero considered it 
prudent to leave his place of conceal- 
ment in the West Mountain, which 
was not until the following night, he 
cautiously descended in a southern 
direction; and being, by this time, 
well acquainted with every pass 
through the Highlands, knowing 
where the ravines might be penetra- 
ted, and where the streams were 
fordable, he proceeded with silent 
celerity, and increasing confidence. 
For several hours he pursued his 
course without interruption, carefully 
avoiding such spots as he knew to be 
inhabited; sometimes plunging into 
thickets, at others finding it neces- 
sary to ascend hills that appeared to 
be almost inaccessible. 

About sunrise he ventured to de 

I scend into the highway, where he 

I continued to travel until fatigue and 
hunger compelled him to seek for a 

j habitation where he might safely ap 

: ply for refreshment. 

i At this Juncture, he found himself 

i within a quarter of a mile of a farm 
house, the owner of which he knew 

I to be a tory, and would doubtless 
supply his immediate wants. He di- 
rected his steps accordingly, and soon 
received a cheerful welcome from the 
mistress of the family, her husband 
being absent from home. He told 
his story, or as much of it as was 
proper to be related, and his loyal 
hostess could not find langruag-e to ex- 



* See tlie Spv. Vol. I.. Cliap. \'., tliree conclu- 
ding nai-es. 



64 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



press her commiseration of his suffer- 
ings, and her indignity at the wrongs 
he had received at the handn of the 
abominable rebels ! In short, she 
treated him like a son; and insisted 
upon his making her house his home, 
for as long a time as he thought it 
prudent to remain. On his depart- 
ure, she loaded him with provisions 
and clothes, with a capacious new 
pack to contain them. 

Being well aware that patrols were 
scouring the country in every direc 
tion, who, if they recognized him, 
would be ?ure to retake him, he felt 
the necessity of being very cautious 
in his movements. It is true, that he 
might meet a cordial welcome from 
those who secretly favored th6 Bri 
tish cause; but at a period when so 
many were induced by circumstances 
to disguise their real sentiments, it 
was difficult to discriminate between 
friends and foes. Every whig would 
have thought it a duty he owed his 
country to deliver up the fugitive to 
the vengeance of her violated laws; 
while many, who felt interested in 
his safety, were deterred from afford- 
ing him protection by a prudent re- 
gard for their own. 

Under such circumstances, our hero 
soon found himself placed in a very 
unpleasant dilemma; while every 
succeeding day seemed to increase 
the gloom, which, like a por- 
tentous cloud, hung over his unto- 
ward destiny. Hunted like a beast 
of the forest by one party— suspected 
and avoided by the other — he felt 
himself, at times, an outcast in the 
world — a houseless wanderer, without 
a country or a home!* While look- 



ing at this side of the picture, it ex- 
hibited a cheerless, dreary scene of 
desolation, at the contemplation of 
which his heart sickened within him. 
But when he recollected the object 
for which he had voluntarily submit- 
ted to this living martyrdom — when 
he reviewed the motive of the sacri- 
fice — a ray of peaceful tranquillity, 
emanating from a self-approving 
conscience, stole over his mind, 
which he would not have exchanged 
for the crown and sceptre of Eng- 
land. 

It was near the close of a toilsome 
day's wandering, in the cheerless 
month of November, that he called 
at an indifferent looking farm-house, 
and requested to be accommodated 
for the night. This request was 
cheerfully granted; and, throwing off 
his pack, he sat down, with a thank- 
ful heart, to rest from the fatigues of 
the day. 

He had not remained in this situa- 
tion long, when two large men, 
armed with muskets, entered the 
apartment. One of them started on 
seeing our traveller; and, in a low 
voice, said something to his com- 
panion, to which the other apparently 
assented. 

Crosby remained silent, watching 
the movements of these men with the 
deepest interest, as he suspected them 
to be volunteer scouts, numbers of 
which were constantly on the look- 
out for such persons as were sus- 
pected of toryism. 

In a short time they advanced to 
our hero, and, after surveying him 
attentively, one of them accosted 
him — 



ducted as to b;ifBe pursuit. Many a sentinel. 

* " Most of the movements of the pedlar I placed in the gorges of the mountains, spoke of 

tlirough the country, were made at the hours j a strange figure that had been seen gliding by 

which others allotted to repose. His approaches them in the midst of the evening." -Spy. Vol. i'., 

to the American lines were generally so con- ' p, 149. 



MEMOIRS OP ENOCH CROSBl. 



65 



"I think, sir, that I have seen your j 
face before." ! 

"Very possibly, sir," resumed Cros- : 
by, cooly ; "though I cannot say that 
I have the pleasure of i-ecollecting l 
yours." j 

"Probably not. But, if I mistake 
not, I saw you conducted to Fishkiil 
prison a short time since, in company 
of a number of tories, ai*rested by , 
Townsend's Rangers." 

"O, yes, it is he," exclaimed the i 
other; "I could swear to him among j 
a thousand." \ 

•'So, you have made your escape, | 
sir, it seems," continued the first 
speaker. "But under our escort you 
will not find it so easily done again. 
To-morrow morning you shall accom- 1 
pany us to Heath's head-quarters;} 
and, if the provost marshal does his 
duty, your plots and escapes will 
soon be terminated. The Committee 
of Safety will not take the troiable 
of trying you again." 

"It is a serious subject for jesting." 
observed Crosby, throwing an un- 
quiet eyo around, as if in search of 
some avenue of escape. 

"You will find it no jest," returned 
the othei'. "Jay and Duerare deter- 
mined to make an example of you. 
A tory they can pardon and pity. 
But a traitor, who, after bearing arms 
in the good cause, basely turns those 
arms against his countrymen, has 
forfeited all claims to protection. 
Mercy to such a wretch would be a 
cruelty to our country."* 

"And think you that ./ay would 



* "Dark and threatening hints began to throw 
suspic'if)n around liis movements, and the civil 
antliority thought it int'unibent on tliem to ex- 
amine narrowly into his mode of life. His ini- 
I)risoiimfMits were not long, though freciueut; 
and his rscunes from the guardians of the law 
(•omi)arativ('ly easy, to what he endured from 
the i)ersecution of the military."— Spj/, Vol. i, 
p. :I4. 



pronounce me a traitor ?"f asked 
Crosby, with earnestness. 

"How could he do otherwise?" re- 
turned the other. "What have you 
to urge in your own defence?" 

Notwithstanding his reliance on the 
secret protection of the Committee, 
our hero felt a strong repugnance to 
become a prisoner again so soon; es- 
pecially, as the exasperated Rangers 
(at a time when the civil law, but lit- 
tle regarded by the soldiery) might 
feel themselves justified in inflicting 
a summary punishment, without the 
ceremony of a trial. Weakened and 
fatigued as he was by toilsome 
marches, he could not contend against 
such odds with any hope of success. 
Having weighed all these circum- 
stances in his mind, he concluded 
that he would be justified in appeal- 
ing to the last resort; his present sit- 
uation being one of extremity. He, 
therefore, drew a small folded paper 
from a secret place within the lining 
of his vest, and presented it to his 
interrogator. 

"Read that, sir," said he pioudly, 
"and learn how easy a thing it is to 
mistake a man's real chai'acter; and 
how prone we are to suspect the in 
uoceut." 

The two strangers perused the pa- 
per in silent astonishment; and, for a 
moment, appeared unwilling to credit 
their own senses. At length, how- 
ever, he who appeared to be princi- 
pal, returned the paper, saying, 

"I am satisfied, sir, that we have 
been mistaken in your real character, 
for those signatures I know to be gen 
nine; and the writers certify that you 
are actually engaged in the service of 

t "Will Washington say so, think you?" said 

Birch, with a ghastly smile. "No— no— no 

Washington would never say, 'lead liim to a 
gallows.' "--Spy. Vol. i, p. 249. 



66 



THE SPY unmasked; OR 



your country. But how is the mys- 
teiy to be explained? Why were yon 
imprisoned by the orders of those 
very men?" 

"Ask me no further questions, if 
yon please," replied Crosby, as he re- 
turned the pass to its secret deposit- 
ory. "Be content to believe me a 
true whig, and in the service of my 
country. But, above all, I most earn- 
estly request yon, as you wish well to 
the cause, never to disclose what you 
have now learned to any human be- 
ing." 

So saying, he re-shouldered his 
pack; and, after evasively answering 
the numerous questions with which 
they assailed him, he bade both a 
hasty '-good evening," and left them 
to wonder at the strangeness of the 
adventure. He now felt convinced 
that it would not be prudent to re- 
main there for the night, as he had 
at first intended; and being some- 
what refeshed by the short respite he 
had enjoyed, he travelled onward, in 
search of a more eligible asylum. 

After proceeding more than two 
miles farther, he ventured to apply 
at another cottage, and renew his re- 
quest for accommodation; which, af- 
ter much solicitation on his part, was, 
at length, reluctantly complied with 
by the woman of the house. Here 
again he disencumbered himself of 
his pack, and sat down, much fa- 
tigued with his prolonged journey. 

While inwardly congratulating him- 
self on the happy termination of that 
day's labours, and fondly anticipa- 
ting a comfoi'table night's I'est, his at 
tention was caught by the particular 
and suspicious manner with which he 
found himself regarded by a man 
who had just entered, and taken a 
seat bv the fire. Crosbv felt confi- 



dent that he had somewhere seen 
him before; but could not recall to 
mind the place or circumstances; and 
began to feel somewhat alaiTned at 
the closeness of his scrutiny. At 
length, Crosby spoke — 

"Somewhat cool, this evening, sir." 

Without noticing this sagacious re- 
mark, the other started on his feet, 
and exclaimed, with a bitterness of 
tone that well corresponded with the 
ghastliness of the grin that accom- 
panied it, 

"Now I know you! I thought I 
could not be mistaken. You are the 

very d d rascal that betrayed us 

to the [rebel Committee, and caused 
our company to be taken and con- 
fined in jail. Now, sir, if you don't 

make yourself scarce pretty d d 

quick, I will call one of my neigh- 
bours, who swears that, if ever he 
can lay eyes on you again, he will 
take every drop of your heart's 
blood!" 

Crosby made several efforts to re 
ply, during the delivery ot this phil- 
ippic; but the other refused to hear 
a word he had to say. and thus con- 
tinued — 

"You shall leave this house imme- 
diately, sir; but not till I have had the 
satisfaction of pounding you!" 

"Coiue on, sir," said our hero, ris- 
ing cooly from his seat, and elevating 
himself to the full height of his manly 
stature; while that of his antagonist 
appeared to dwindle in the same pro- 
portion. "Come on! sir:" repeated 
he, deliberately rolling up his sleeves, 
and displaying a pair of muscular 
arms and bony fists, of the most for- 
midable dimensions. "Come on — I 
am ready to try you a pull.'' 

But, from some cause or other, the 
host had suddenly changed his mind. 



MEMOIES OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



67 



and appeared a little more incliued to 
the side of mercy; for, in a less ele- 
vated tone he replied, 

"I believe I will let you oft" this 
time, if you will leave my house im 
mediately, and never set your foot in 
it again." 

Tired and jaded as he was, Crosby 
thought it best to comply; and trav- 
elled another mile before he sue- 1 
ceeded in procuring lodgings for the | 
night; but there he learned -a fact 
which induced him to change his 
plans immediately. 

He had long been anxious to obtain 
a private interview with the Commit- 
tee; but dared not venture to Fish- 
kill, while Townsend remained in 
the village with his vigilant Kaugers. 
He now ascertained, however, that 
the corps was on the other side of the 
river,* and resolved to profit by the 
circumstance on the following morn- 
ing. This determination he put in 
executiou, and arrived at Duer's resi- 
dence, on the succeeding evening, 
without interruption or molestation. 

After a long consultation, that gen- 
tleman advised him to repaid pri- 
vately to a retired residence, on Wap- 
pingers Creek; the farm house of an 
honest old Dutchman, and there work 
at his trade for the family, and keep 
himself concealed from observation, 
until further orders. 

Being furnished with a complete 
set of tools for the purpose, he shoul- 
dered his pack, and proceeded to the 
designated place; where he soon 
found himself very comfortably situ- 



* "Once wlieii ii strong body of the conliiKni- 
t;il army held tiie Four Corners, t'oi- a whole 
simimer. orders had heen received fror.i A\'asli- 
inijt in liiiiiself. never to leave the door of Harvey 
lUreii nnwatehed: the eonnnnnd was rigidly 
oiieyed. and dnring this long period, the pedlar 
wisun-;een. Tlie deta(dnneni was withdrawn: 
and the next night Bir<di re-entered his dwidl- 
Iiig."-.Spi/, Vol. I., p. \:>{). 



ated, in the family of the friendly 
old Dutchman, who had feet enough 
in his family to keep the shoemaker 
in constant employment. It is true, 
a large majority of them were the 
property of females; but Crosby soon 
found, by actual admeasurement, that 
the undersfdiuling of a plump round 
face, rosy-cheek, country Dutch lass, 
is not such a trifling appendage, as 
the same article appears to be among 
our modern city belles; for, at the 
period of which we are writing, the 
doctrine of Dr. Sitgreaves most gen- 
erally prevailed, that "the wider the 
base, the more firm is the superstruc- 
ture." 

In this tranquil asylum he had 
continued but two days, when a letter 
from Duer, desiring his immediate 
attendance on the Committee, at 
Fishkill, was handed him on his seat, 
j by a messenger sent express for that 
; purpose. 

The good old Dutchman, as well as 
every member of his family, evinced 
mi>ch curiosity to know the purport 
of this communication; which they 
knew, by some expressions that had 
; fallen from the messenger, must have 
come from high authority; and our 
hero immediately rose, in their esti- 
mation, at least one hundred per 
cent. Could he have conversed with 
Mynheer, in the mother-tongue of the 
; latter, there is little doubt that he 
might have "'taken his pick" among 
I the daughters, with a good farm into 
the btirgain. 

'•Mine Cot I'" exclaimed the Dtitch- 
man, knocking the ashes from his 
])ipe; ''you know tee shentlemeh of 
tee armyt Vat for tey rite you ?" 

"I suppose they want shoes for the 
soldiers," replied Crosby, rising from 
his seat, and taking oft" his leather 



68 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



apron, which he carefully spread over 
his unfinished work and tools. "I 
understand that the poor fellows are 
all barefoot, and there's a cold winter 
at hand. At all events, I must go 
and see; but will probably retui'n 
time enough to finish Catrine's shoes 
for Sunday." 

"Now, don't you disappoint me," 
cried the smiling girl, with sparkling 
eyes, and one cf her sweet insinua- 
ting tones. "If you do, you'll be 
Bon-y." 

"Tevil take tee shoes!" exclaimed 
the father, [filling his pipe again. 
"Vy you hotter tee shentlemen mit 
shoes, ven he got bishness mit tee 
army? You know Gitty ish sick pon 
tee ped, and vont vant hern till 
Christmas. But, dunder and blixem, 
man ! You vont trudge to Vishkill 
mit Shank's mare'. Here, you Hauns! 
Puckle tee pest shaddle on Valdecker, 
and pring him to tee horse plock, ti- 
reetly — you hear!" 

Crosby was not very strenuous in 
declining this polite arrangement of 
his friendly host; but was soon 
mounted, and waving a farewell to 
the whole groupe, who had assembled 
in the yard to witness his departure, 
he struck his pony into a gallop, and 
was soon out of sight. 

On reaching Fishkill, he immedi- 
ately waited on Duer, to learn the 
pleasure of the committee; who re- 
minded him that it would be ex- 
tremely unsafe for him to remain in 
that place long enough for the com- 
mittee to hold a consultation; he 
therefore directed him to leave the 
village as secretly as he entered it, 
and travel about three miles, in a 
north-east direction, to a place called 
Hopewell; there to inquire for Dr. 
Miller, who kept a small retail drug- 



gist shop, where one of the commit- 
tee would meet him in the course of 
the afternoon. 

In compliance with these instruc- 
tions, Crosby again mounted his 
Dutch pony, and soon found the resi- 
dence of the Doctor, who happened 
to be absent from home, and not ex- 
pected back until evening. 

This information was communica- 
ted by a sprightly smiling female, 
whose voice and figure struck Crosby 
as not being entirely new to him; 
while some marked peculiarity in her 
manner of addressing him, evinced, 
on her part, a reciprocal recognition. 
But it was in vain that he tasked his 
recollection to elucidate the mys- 
tery; until, with an arch smile, and 
an emphasis of much meaning, she 
said — 

"If you wish any article from the 
shop, sir, I think I can wait upon you 
to your satisfaction. Dr. Miller's 
opiates, you recollect, are wonderfully 
powerful when mixed with brandy. 
They have been known to jmt even 
the vigilant Rangers to sleep." 

"Is it possible!" exclaimed Crosby. 
"Are you then the '' 

"Hush! Not a woi*d on that sub- 
ject, for your life!" returned the dam- 
sel, in a low voice. "These men by 
the fire are not Rangers; but it might 
not be safe to expose your real name 
in their hearing." She then added 
aloud, "You had better take a seat by 
the tire, Mr. Brown; as the Doctor 
will not be home till dark." 

Several of the neighbours were, as 
usual, collected round the fire, at one 
end of the shop, discussing the news 
andpolitics of the day. Crosby ven- 
tui'ed to mingle with the groupe; 
and, not being personally known to 
either, had the satisfaction to hear 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



69 



his own adventures related, and des- 
canted on, with all those embellish- 
ments, variations, and exaggerations, 
that ever accompany the verbal dis- 
posal of retailed wonders. 

"There c;»n be no doubt," observed 
one, "that Sir Henry Clinton ob- 
tained that information from Crosby. 
How else would Knyphausen, and 

his d d Hessians, have known the 

way to Spiten-devil Creek?"* 

"Aye, and how the d 1, without 

the assistance of some spy, could the 
regulars ha^ e known on which side 
to attack the post on Laurel Hill f" 
demanded another, looking round 
him with an expression of triumph 
that challenged contradiction. "The 
Dutchmm's left column, you know, 
boi-e all the brunt of the battle, and 
were pretty decently peppered." 

"Well, well," said a third, with a 
self-complacent smile, and a knowing 
toss of the head; "every dog has his 
day. But if Townsend ever gets the 
traitor in his clutches again, he will 
soon dangle in the air, without judge 
or jury." 

"What sort of a fellow is this 
Crosbv?" asked our hero, addressing 
the last sf)eaker. "Have you ever 
seen him?" 

"O yes, I saw him at Fishkill. He 
is a little slender artful looking fel- 
low, of about live feet three. There's 
no confining him; for he'll creep out 
of a knot-hole, and I have no doubt 
that all our late disasters may be 
attributed to his secret intercourse 
with the enemy." 



* Near the site of Fort Washington, in the vi- 
cinity of Kingsbridge. 

+ This hill WHS bravely defended liy the Amer- 
icans, diiriii'i the attack of Fort Wasliington. It 
is snpposed that over twelve hundred of the 
royal troops were kille I or wounded. After be- 
ing twice summoned, the commandant. Colonel 
Mauaw, was compelled to surrender, with 287U 
Aniericaas. 



"It is shrewdly suspected," said 
Crosby, dryly, "that this fellow was 
at the bottom of the affair at Kipp's 
Bay." 

"Very probably," said the other, 
forgetting the nature of that affair ;t 
wherever there is a tory plot, you may 
swear that Crosby is head-devil in 
the business." 

"Whether at the head or tail," ob- 
served a third, "his intrigues have 
given an unfortunate turn to our af- 
fairs. Fort Washington and Fort 
Lee are both in the hands of the en- 
emy. § The American army is re- 
treating tbrough the Jerseys, and 
Howe is close upon their heels." 

"But didn't Gooch do the neat 
thing?" exclaimed the first speaker. 

"Gooch! Who the d 1 is he?" 

asked his friend. 

"Who is he! A full-blooded yan- 
kee, from Boston, and a captain in 
Heath's division. During the attack 
on Fort Washington, which was 
bravely defended by Colonel Magaw, 
the commander-in-chief, who was 
across the river, on the high bank at 
Fort Lee, was a spectator of the 
whole affair. He wished to send a 
message across to Magaw, and Gooch 
offered to be the bearer of it. He 
ran down to the river— jumped into 
a small boat— pushed over in style — 
— landed under the bank — ran up to 
the fort, and delivered the message — 
came out — ran and jumped over the 
broken ground^dodged the Hessians, 



t See Chapter VI.. 3d paragrapli. 

§ Soon after the reduction of Fort Washing- 
ton Lord Comwallis, with a large force, conjec- 
tured t.) amoimt to about six thousand men, 
crossed over the North River, to attack Fort 
I.ee. on the opposite Jersey shore. On the intel- 
ligence of their aj)proacli, the first determina- 
tion of the Amerieaus was to meet and fight 
them; but it was soon discovered that the con- 
test would be too une^pial, and the garrison was 
saved by an immediate evacuation, under the 
a'oie guiilaace of General CJreene. 



70 



--T3E SPY; TJNM ASKED;- OR, 



some of whom struck at him with 
their pieces, while others attempted 
to thrast him with their bayonets. 
But he escaped through the whole — 
got into his boat, and returned to 
FortLee."=i= 

"Was that message a recommenda- 
tion to surrender?" asked Crosby. 

"So it is presumed," replied the 
other. "Magaw had been summoned 
to surrender; but requested that he 
might be allowed to consider until 9 
o'clock the next morning, before he 
gave a decisive answer. Only two 
hours were granted, and Magaw re- 
plied that he would defend the fort 
to the last moment. After receiving 
Washington's message, however, the 
fort was surrenfiered ; and it would 
have been a useless waste of lives to 
hold out auy longer." 

"Was our loss great?" asked 
Crosby. 

"Not in killed and wounded;" re- 
turned the other; "but the loss in 
prisoners was a serious blow indeed. 
It is said they were marched to the 
city, and ci'owded into prisons and 
sugar houses, where they are now dy- 
ing off by dozens; so that j)robably 
very few of the poor fellows will ever 
get home again." 

At this stage of the conversation, 
a gentleman entered the shop; and, 
without noticing the speakers, ad- 
vanced to the counter, and ordered a 
phial of medicine. In this new coiner, 
our hero instantly recognized the per 
son of Jay, who had ridden from 
Fishkill on an elegant horse, which 
Avas standing at the door. While the 
shopman was waiting npon his cus 
tomer, Crosby slipped out, and pre- 
tended to be admiring the noble ani 
mal, until his owner approached to 



*"See Heath's Memoirs. 



remount. Our hero politely held the 
stirnp, while Jay seized that oppor- 
tunity to whisper in his ear — 

"It will not do; there are too many 
observers in this place. Return to 
the Dutchman's, and there wait for 
further orders." 

He then mounted; and was soon 
out of sight, on the road to Fishkill. 

On re-entering the shop, which ho 
did without being perceived, Crosby 
discovered that his own person had 
been the subject of remark, by the 
loungers present. 

"His conversation and manners be- 
speak the gentleman," observed the 
principal speaker. "I wonder who 
he is, and what his business can be 
with Dr. Miller?" 

"He appears to be acquainted with 
Jay," said another; "for I saw them 
whispering together at the horse- 
block." 

On ovei'heai'ing these remarks, 
Crosby began to feel apprehensive, 
that if he remained much longer, 
these village politicians might become 
more inquisitive than he could wish. 
He therefore told the suoj^man that 
he would call in the evening; then 
mounted his horse, and soon found 
himself on the banks of Wappinger. 
j His host met him in the yard, in 
I front of the cottage, with his insepa- 
rable companion, the pijje, in his 
mouth. 

"Veil, ten, sho you cot pack," said 
he, puffing a huge volume of curling 
vapour from his mouth. 

"O yes," replied Crosby, dismount- 
ing. "There is no difficulty in getting 
back, on such a horse as yours, when 
his head is once turned toward 
home." 

"O yaw, Valdecker vill ride any 
potty right to mine house. Here, 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



71 



Haunse! Take off tee shadcille, ant 
rup him towu mit a visp of shtraw; 
ant, to ye hear, Haunse! tont let him 
triuk till he coutch'd coold." 

"O there is no danger," returned 
Crosby; "I have not rode him hard. 
Biit how are the girls, and poor 
Gitty?" 

"Veil, she complains as she is leetle 
petter; but she stood up, von tinner 
vosh ready, pon tee ped, and ate 
pred, mit putter by it." 

By this time they had entered the 
house, where Crosby was met by the 
smiling Catreen, who kindly wel- 
comed him back, and again reminded 
him of her Sunday shoes. These he 
promised t(i attend to immediately; 
and, after visiting Gitty in her I'oom, 
resumed his seat, and pursued his 
usual vocation. 

CHAPTER X.I. 

LIGHTS .\ND SHADOWS. 

Why Mien, you priiice.-i. 

Do you. with fhoekis abashed bchokl our works: 
Anil tliiiik tlieiii shainej, whiith are, indeed, 

nouglil else 
Hui the pivuraetive trials of great Jove, 
To liiul persistive coiistauey in men. 

Sliahiipcare. 

The political intelligence which Cros- 
l)y gathered from the conversation 
at Hopewell, proved, alas! to be too 
true. Forts Washington and Lee 
]iad fallen int'o the hands of the en- 
emy; and the Americans it^ere retreat- 
ing across the Jerseys, closely pur- 
saed by the British; so closely, '"that 
the rear of the army pulling down 
bridges, was often within sight and 
shot of the van of the other, building 
them up." 

At Newark, Washington asked Col. 
Reed— "Should we retreat to the 
back parts of Pennsylvania, will the 
Peunsylvanians support us?" 

"That may depend upon contin- 



gencies." replied the Colonel. "If 
the lower counties are subdued, and 
give xip, the back counties will doubt- 
less do the same." 

"My neck does not feel as though 
it was made for a halter," returned 
Washington, passing his hand over 
it. "We must n^pair to Augusta 
county, in Virginia. Numbers will 
be obliged to repair to us for safety, 
and we must try what we can do in 
carrying on a predatory war; and, if 
overpowered, we must cross the Alle- 
gany mountains." 

To increase the gloom which now 
shrouded his future prospects, the 
hero, about this time, was deprived 
of one of his most able coadjutatoi's 
and active generals. The veteran Lee, 
while leading on his division to join 
the main army, incautiously toc^k up 
his lodgings at a house 3 or 4 miles 
from his troops. This circumstance 
was immediately communicated, by 
some unprincipled tories, to Colonel 
Harcourt, of the Britsh light-horse, 
who resolved to attempt his capture. 
Accordingly, with a detachment of 
dragoons, he speedily surrounded 
the house; made Lee his prisoner; 
and, not permitting him time to take 
his hat and cloak, mounted him on a 
horse, and conveyed him to New 
York. 

In the meantime, Carleton's army in 
Canada, after driving the Americans 
from post to post, had made their ap- 
pearance before Ticonderoga. A na- 
val engagement had also taken place 
between the two fleets on Lake 
Champlain, which continued about 
four hours, and then resulted in the 
defeat of the Amercans. The enemy, 
soon afterwai'ds, established himself 
at Crown Point, and strengthened 
the fortifications; while Gates, with 



72 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



a coiTfisponding ardor, continued to 
increase the works of defence at Ti- 
conderoga, determined to give his 
neighbour a warm reception, if he 
honored him with a visit. 

Daring the development of the 
foregoing transactions, the Commit- 
tee of Safety felt very anxious res 
pecting the state of affairs on the 
northern frontier. Freqiaent instan- 
ces had been reported to them, of 
persons, in that quarter, being de- 
tected in enlisting soldiers for the 
tory regiments in New York. It had 
been already decreed, that every per- 
son of this description, who might 
fall into the hands of the Americans, 
should be tried by court-martial; and, 
if found guilty, executed as a spy.* 
Some had already suffered death un 
der this law, and still the nefarious 
practice was continued. Under such 
circumstances, the Committee deter 
mined to send Crosby to the north. 

Our hero was still a member of the 
Dutchman's family. Gitty had re- 
covered her health, and the Sunday 
shoes of Catreen had been once dis- 
played at church. 

It was a cold morning, near the 
close of December, and at a very 
early hour, that Crosby received a 
communication from the Committee 
of Safety, on the subject of this 
northern excursion. He had just re 
sumed his seat on what has been not 
unaptly termed St. Crispin's liddle; 
for, in the present instance, it not 
only resembled that instrument in 
form, but also in tone, as its unstable 
joints squeaked in unison to the music 
of the hammer and lapstone. Such 



* One Daniel strong was found lurking about 
our army at Peekskill. and, on exaniinaiion, en- 
listing orders were found sewed in his clothes. 
Uo was inunediately tried as a spy from the en- 
emy, sentenced to suffer death ; and was executed 
accordingly.— r/iocTi&r's Journal. 



as it was, however, it was the manu- 
facture of Crosby's own hands; ex- 
hibiting another evidence of that 
Yankee ingenuity which has since 
become proverbial in the production 
of horn flints, wooden nutmegs, and 
artificial pumpkin -seeds. 

He had just taken his seat, and was 
attempting to soften a roll of wax by 
the warmth of his own breath, when, 
casting his eyes to the window, he 
saw a horseman at the gate, in the 
act of dismounting from a white 
steed, of superior form and dimen 
sions. 

The unusual clatter of an old iron 
knocker, which ornamented the front 
door of the building, soon announced 
a message of more than ordinary im- 
port; on being admitted, however, 
the messenger appeared to have for- 
gotten the object of his journey amid 
the more important concerns of blow 
ing his fingers, and warming his feet. 
But as soon as such matters were 
perfectly arranged to his mind, he 
took a letter from his pocket, and in- 
quired for Jacob Brown.* 

''I answer to that name, for want 
of a better," quaintly observed Cros- 
by, waxing his thread. 

"Then you are the man into whose 
hand I am directed to deliver this 
letter. An answer is expected by 
those who sent me." 

Crosby broke the seal, perused the 
epistle, and then wrote a brief reply, 
with which the messenger departed 
on foot. This done, our hero re- 
paired to the sleeping room of his 
host, who was yet in bed, and in- 
formed him that he was under the 
necessity of leaving him immediately; 
being ordered to the north, on busi- 



*This was the name by wliich Crosby was 
known in the Dutcbnian's family. 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



73 



ness that would admit of no delay, 
and that a swift hoi'se had been sent 
for the express purpose of expediting 
his journey. 

"Mine Cot!" exclaimed the other, 
startiug up in his bed. "Ten you vill 
not shtay mit us all tee Christmas 
holidays." 

"Not an hour," replied Crosby. 

"Veil, den, shtay till I kit up. and 
Catreen kit tee breakfast py toe ta- 
ble. You must not ride pon your 
pelly empty in tee coldt." 

The whole family were soon mus- 
tered: and, by the time Crosby had 
corai)leted his own preparations for 
the journey, the table was loaded 
Avith hot buckwheat cakes, fried sau- 
sages, and every other substantial ar- 
gument with which a Dutch farmer's 
larder is always liberally supplied. 
During breakfast, our hero expressed 
his gratitude to every member of the 
family, for (he kindness and hospi- 
tality which he had uniformly re- 
ceived at their hands. 

"Nonesense, man! nonesenee!" ex- 
claimed the generous Dutchman. 
"Who vouldn't do tee same, ish no 
petter ash nobody." 

After taking an affectionate leave 
of every member of the family, and 
slily saluting Catreen as he stooped 
to assist her in buckling his port- 
manteau, which she had liberally 
furnished with necessaries, Crosby 
left the hospitabo mansion, and 
mounted his horse. He then inquired 
of his host, who had followed to the 
gate, the most direct road to Sharon. 

"To Sharon? Val, you see dat 
roat pon de hel"? — pointing - in a 
northeast direction. 

"O, yes, I see it." 

"Val, you musht not take dat roat. 
You see dis roat py tee colabarak?" 



"Yes, sir." 

"Val, dat ish not tee roat But you 
musht go right straight py tee parn, 
and vere yeu see von roat dat crooks 
justso— see.here" — bending his elbow, 
and describing it at the same time — 
"and ven you kit dere, keep right 
along; and you musht mind to come 
pack, and shtay all night mit me, and 
make done our Hannse's shoes." f 

In duo time Crosby found himself 
in the right road, and mounted upon 
an excellent horse. But the di*eary 
season of the year, and the conse- 
quent inclemency of the weather, 
rendered the journey extremely un- 
pleiisant. In speaking of this excur- 
sion, Crosby says — 

"I travelled as far as BenLiington,J; 
in Vermont, a distance of one hun- 
dred and twenty-five miles, and suf- 
fered much from the cold and severe 
storms I encountered, and from ri- 
ding on horseback, contrary to my 
usual habits. Had it not been for 
expediting my journey, I should 
rather have trusted to my legs." 

The object of his journey, however, 
was accomplished; foi% besides de- 
tecting a number of secret enemies 
to the country, in that quarter, whom 
he caused to be apprehended and 
brought to justice; he obtained such 
information, also, as enabled him ul 



t This direction of the worthy Dutchman re- 
minds tlie writer of the following storv: "A 
Yankee, travelling; through a Duten settlement, 
in ihe State of Now York, and, guessiin/ tliat he 
was near iiis place of destination, thought he 
would ascertani the fact hy inciuiring of a man 
who was hard at work iii a field of potatoes. 
}Ie was answered in the following manner: 
'•^'al, den, you vill turn de potato i)atcli round, 
de pridge over, and de river? up stroani. and de 
hf'l up: and tii'ectly you see mine prother 
Haune's i)arii, shingled mit straw; dat's his 
house vare mine brother Schnyven iives. He'll 
tell vou so iietter as I can. And you go little 
further, you see two roat)<— you nnist not take 
hote of 'em." 

* liennington is about thirty-six miles from 
Albany in a nortlieast direction, and is famous 
for (ieiieral Starke's victory over the Hessians, 
on the ICth of August, 1777. 



74 



thet^I'y: unmasked; or' 



timately to surprise a company of 
them much uearer home. 

In the meantime, while Washing- 
ton, with the main body of the Amer 
ican army, was retreating through 
the Jerseys, closely pursued by the 
enemy, General Heath, with his di- 
vision, remained to fortify and defend 
the Highlands, on both sides of the 
river. While attending to this ardu 
ous duty, assisted by Lincoln, Woos- 
ter, Scott, and Ten Broeck, he re- 
ceived agreeable intelligence that 
Washington, who had previously re- 
treated over the Delaware, into Penn- 
sylvania, had suddenly turned upon 
his pursu3rs with the most complete 
success. 

Such an event was totally unex- 
pected by the enemy, who were re- 
posing in confident security in Tren- 
ton, and other parts of New Jersey. 
They had been celebrating the festi- 
val of Christmas with unusual satis- 
faction, occasionally mingling in their 
libations some bitter sarcasms against 
the flying Yankees. The raei'cenaries 
of Hesse, Waldecker, and Hanover, 
who were posted at Trenton, were 
particularly elated on this occasion, 
as they fondly believed that their la- 
bors wei'e now over, and the prom- 
ised reward ready for their accept- 
ance. They imagined that they had 
at length succeeded in driving the 
rebels from their country, and that 
their houses and lands were to be im 
mediately divided among the Hes- 
sians — for such had been the delusive 
tale with which they had been flat- 
tered by their false-hearted employ- 
ers. 

Under such impressions, they cele- 
brated the birth of the Saviour with 
unusual demonstrations of joy; and 
feasted, and drank, and laughed, and 



sang, until the night was far spent. 
It Avas the Hessians' Christmas ban- 
quet. But like the impious feast of 
Belshazzar, its termination was to be 
fatal. The handwriting was already 
on the wall of their air built castle of 
success and security. In the morn- 
ing watch, the hero of Liberty came 
upon them like a thief, and few es- 
caped. After a contest of half an 
hour, those who had not fallen, surren- 
dered to the victorious chief, and his 
gallant little band of barefooted he- 
roes.* 

The news of this affair was like the 
first ray of sunshine after a long dis- 
mal storm. It rejoiced the Commit- 
tee of Safety, elated and encouraged 
the army, and revived the drooping 
hopes of Americans in every section 
of the country. 

In the midst of their congratula- 
tions on this auspicious event, the 
same gallant band stole a march 
upon the British who were posted at 
Princeton, over whom they obtained 
another complete victory. f 

The tide of success which had so 
long flowed in favour of the enemy, 
had now turned against them; while 
the Americans, suddenly aroused 
from a state of despondency, had be- 
come elated with joy; and, in their 
turn, pursued their invaders with as 
much rapidity as they had recently 
fled before them. Washington had 
always been popular; he was now the 
idol of the army — the acknowledged 
saviour of his country. 

In order to take advantage of the 
general consternation which these 
events had produced in the ranks of 
the enemy; and, if possible, to drive 
them entirely out of the Jerseys, 

* See Appendix, No. VII. t Ibid, No. VIll. 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBT. 



76 



Washington sent an express to Heath, 
whose headquarters were at Peekskill, 
directing him to draw his forces from 
the Highlands (excepting a sufficient 
guard), and march them down 
through the "neutral ground," to- 
wards New York, as if he had a de- 
sign upon the city. This manceuvre 
had the desired effect. The enemy 
became alarmed for the safety of the 
city, and withdrew his forces to pro- 
tect it. 

Heath advanced down as far as 
Kingsbridge, where a battle took place 
without much advantage on either 
side. He then retired to the for- 
tresses of the Highlands, where he 
retained the command until Wash- 
ington ordered him to take that of 
the eastern department, and hold his 
headquarters at Boston. 

Several other events of interest 
occurred about this period. General 
Dickinson, with four hundred mili 
tia, aad fifty Pennsylvanian riflemen, 
defeated a British foraging party of 
equal numoers, taking nine prisoners, 
one hundred horses, forty wagons, 
besides a number of sheep and cattle. 
Shortly after this affair. Colonel 
Neilson, of New Brunswick, with a 
party of militia, defeated the British 
Major Stockton, killed four of his 
men, and captured fifty nine, together 
with their commander. 

Every such incident produced a 
beneficial effect on the reviving hopes 
of America; and tended, not a little, 
to lessen the mortification arising 
from several concomitant disasters; 
such as the enemy taking possession 
of Rhode Island; and also, their de- 
stroying some stores at Peekskill. 

This latter affair, however, was of 
trifling import. Heath had gone 
to Boston; and McDougall, who com- 



manded the post at Peekskill, finding 
it prudent to retire, on the approach 
of the enemy, the object of their ex- 
pedition was partially accomplished. 
But the gallant Willett, then Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, with only sixty men, 
came upon the enemy by surprise, 
and compelled them to retire with 
great precipitation, on board their 
vessels in the North river, after hav- 
inof suffered a considerable loss. 



CHAPTER XII. 

QUAKER HILL. 

Do you confess, 'twus not ;i thirst of honour 
Drew you thus far: but hopes to share the spoil 
Of conquered towns, and plundered provinces? 
Fired with such motives, you do well to join 
With Cato's foes, and follow Ca?sar's lianners, 

Aduison. 

AVhile the prospects of the Ameri- 
can army were the most gloomy, and 
the hopes of the people at the lowest 
ebb, the two Howes, flushed with the 
rapid successes of the royal troops, 
had availed themselves of the occa- 
sion, and put forth a second procla- 
mation, granting pardons to all those 
who should, within sixty days, sub- 
scribe a declaration to remain peace- 
able, not to take up arms, nor encour- 
age others to act against the king's 
authority. At the same time, they 
charged and commanded all who 
were assembled in arms, against his 
majesty, to disband; and all legisla- 
tive assemblies, committees, &c., to 
desist from their treasonable prac- 
tices, and relinquish their usurped 
power, within sixty days from the 
date of the pi'oclamation. 

In order to convince the friends of 

' England that Crosby was in the em- 

! ployment of Howe, the Committee of 

Safety, previous to his journey to the 

' north, had furnished him copies of 

the foregoing proclamation, together 



76 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



with Howe's foi'mer dcelaratioD, of- 
fering rewards to such Americans as 
would assist hira in subjugating their 
fellow-countrymen. 

By exhibiting these documents to 
such as were too wary to avow their 
real sentiments, our hero was certain 
to gain their confidence, which was 
all that was requisite to secure their 
ultimate detection. It was not al- 
ways easy to determine who were 
genuine whigs, as hundreds assumed 
that mask to conceal their real char- 
acters. But there was little difficulty 
or danger in denouncing the cautious 
and the wavering as tories. In a 
cause where the liberties of the whole 
nation, and the lives and property of 
thousands, are all at stake, "he who 
doubts is damn'd." He that is hot 
for bis country, is virtually operating 
against it. It was to such persons 
that Crosby exhibited the British 
proclamations, and always with suc- 
cess. 

But there were not wanting occa- 
sions of detecting the blustering pre- 
tenders also. Crosby had sufficient 
discernment, and had seen enor.gh of 
human nature, to know that hypoc- 
risy is apt to overact its part. Un- 
der this imprt^ssion, he frequently 
set his trap for some of the most vio- 
lent brawlers in the cause of liberty 
— and always with the same resnlt— 
for the mask of patriotism was in- 
stantly thrown oflf, while the wearer 
would secretly confess to the bearer 
of Howe's proclamation, that he was 
at heart a partizan of Britain. 

On his I'eturn from this excursion, 
while on his way toFishkill, our hero 
ascertained that a company of loyal 
ists was about being formed and or- 
ganized at Pawling, a small town in 
Dutchess county, near the Connecticut 



line, and not many miles distant 
from the scenes of his boyish days. 

To Pawling, therefore, he imme- 
diately repaired; where, in the course 
of a fortnight, he succeeded in win 
ning the confidence of the recruiting 
officer; and, as usual, agreed to be- 
come a member of the company. 

In the centre of this town is an ex- 
tensive valley, bounded by high hills 
on the east and west; and in the 
midst of the valley is a great swamp, 
where Croton river, Fishkill creek, 
and some other streams, take their 
rise. On the east side of the valley, 
a well known eminence, called Qua- 
ker-hill, rears its gigantic height, on 
which stands a large old-fashioned 
Quaker raeetiug-honse 

It was at a retired habitation, in 
the vicinity of this building, that the 
newly formed company of tories were 
in the habit of holding their secret 
meetings. Our hei'o, ae3ordingly, 
made his arrangements to have the 
whole corps, himself included, taken 
into custody. Unwilling, however, to 
trust himself again in the hands of 
the rangers, and aware that his ab- 
sence at the time of the capture, 
would awaken the suspicion of his 
less fortunate comrades, he applied 
to Colonel Morehouse, who resided 
in the vicinity, and requested his co- 
operation. This gentleman had n3> 
immediate command, but promised 
to assemble and arm a sufficient num- 
ber of men for this particular occa- 
sion. 

Accordingly, at the time appointed, 
the trries being all collected at their 
usual rendezvous, two of the mem- 
bers hastily entered, with some de- 
gree of consternation depicted in 
their faces, one of whom addressed 
the captain — 



MEMOIRS OP ENOCH CROSBY. 



77 



'•Sir, there is a company of armed 
men collecting at Colonel More- 
house's. What can be their object?" 

"Are we betrayed!" exclaimed the 
Captain, looking sternly round upon 
the company. "Can it be possible 
that we have any traitors among us?" 

"O no;" replied the Lieutenant. 
"Th3 probability is, that the lower 
party Jire coming up to drive the 
d — — i rebels oft'; and that More- 
house has collected this company to 
oppose them." 

"Some of you go out and reconnoi- 
tre," said the Captain; "and if there 
be any appearance of danger, give 
us tiinelj notice." 

Five or six immediately sallied 
forth, while their comrades remained 
in anxious suspense for their report. 
This suspense, however, was not of 
long duration; for the challenge of 
'•stand! surrender!" soon saluted the 
eai's of the whole party, and threw 
them into a state of consternation, 
dismxy, and confusion, which it 
would be difficult, if not impossible, 
to describe. Some sprang from the 
windj-.vs, and attempted to conceal 
thainsjlves by plunging into snow- 
banks; others ran to the top of the 
building, and secreted themselves un- 
der the eyes of the roof. Crosby 
retreated to an adjoining room, and 
crept und^r a bed; bat was soon 
dragged out, when he learned, to his 
S3cret joy, that scarcely one of the 
party had succeeded in making good 
his escape. Seing his fellow-captives 
undergoing the procv^ss of being 
bjund, our hero was seized with such 
a severe lamaness in one of his limbs, 
as rendered it utterly impossible for 
him to walk. 

'•I beg that yon would not bind 
me," said he to the Colonel: "for in 



attempting to escape I have sprained 
my leg in a most shocking manner, 
and am not able to move a stop." 

'•Go you shall!" exclaimed the Col- 
onel, preparing to moxint his horse. 
''Lame, or not lame, dead or alive, to 
prison you go with the rest. If you 
cannot walk, you shall be carried; 
here's a good horse, that will carry 
double, and you shall be tied to the 
crupper." 

So saying the Colonel mounted, 
and ordered two of his men to raiae 
up Crosby and seat him, straddle, on 
the crupper behind him. The men 
instantly obeyed, without much ten 
derness for the sprained leg, of which 
the prisoner bitterly complained. 
1 The whole 'cavalcade, horse and 
foot, now took up the line of march, 
j with their prisoners tied together in 
j pairs. On approaching the place of 
: confinement, the Colonel dropped in 
j the rear, and in a whisper gave 
Crosby the necessary directions foi* 
escaping. The escort halted in two 
: lines, between which the prisoners 
I marched into the building. While 
' every eye was fixed upon the proces 
j sion, Crosby slipped from the Colo- 
1 nel's horse and disappeared; nor was 
' his absence noticed for several min- 
I utes; so that all search for the fugi- 
' tive was rendered unavailing* 
: From Pawling Crosby made his 
I way to Patterson, a few miles further 
south; but "finding no game in that 
quarter," he concluded to repair to 
Fishkill for further orders. On reach- 
ing that place, and obtaining a pri- 
I vate interview with the Committee of 

] * "Why the rebels suffer him to escape so ea- 
sily, is iiiore than I can answer," returned the 

I Cantain, "but Sir Henry would not permit a 

I Iiai'r of his head to be injured." 

i "Indeed!" cried Frances, with interest; "is he 

j then known to Sir Henrv Clinton?" 

j "At least he ought lo be," said the Captain, 
smiling signiflcautly.- ,S'pi/, Vol. i., p. 62. 



73 



THE SPY unmasked; ou, 



Safety, tbey informed him that the 
service on which they next wished to 
employ him, would expose him to the 
danger of taking the small-pox, which 
then prevailed in various sections of 
the country. They therefare wished 
him to repair to Dr. Miller s to re- 
ceive the disorder by hioculation; to 
which proposition h3 very readily as- 
sented. Being furnished by the Com- 
mittee with a letter of introduction, 
together with the necessary funds, in 
"continental," he immediately waited 
on the Doctor for th.it purpose. The 
process was so favorable, that the pa- 
tient was confined bat a few days. 

As soon as lie was pronounced fit 
for duty, the Committee I'eq nested 
Crosby to visit the city of Albany, 
and the town of Claverack,f upon 
special busine'^s with Colonel Van 
Ness. Of the purport of this mis- 
sion, or the time it occupie;], we have 
not been informed; but during the 
absence of their agent, the Commit- 
tee of Safety was dissolved,]; and two 
Commissioners appointed in their 
stead; viz., Captain M. Smith, and a 
Mr. Benson. 

At Claverack, Crosby remained 
some time, acting as an agent, in 
transferring the property, which had 
been left by those tories who had 
joined the enemy, into the hands of 



t Claverack is about thirty-live miles soutli of 
Alliaiiy, on the eastern side of tlie Hiulson. It 
was settle 1 at a very early pei-ioU by the Dutch, 
and their descendants still occuiy a large i)ro- 
portion of the rich lands in its vicinity. 

t Jay was afterwards sent as an envoy to the 
court of S;)ain. ''His capacity was equal to the 
lausiness; he was well received, and his public 
characiier acknowledged; yet liis iieg )tiations 
were of little consequence lo America, wiiile he 
resided in Spain. I'erhaps, apprehensive that 
the spirit of freedom and revolt might extend to 
her own colonics, Spain cliosc to withhold her 
assistance." '•The highest favor he coulil obtain 
was, t!ie trivial loan of four or live thousand 
pounds. A short time afterwards, however, 
Spain declared war against England."— irac- 
re/i'jj ReooliUioii. 



such as had abandoned their own 
property, in order to escape from the 
British. "This course," says Crosby, 
•'had a very beneficial effect; as the 
tories soon became tii-ed of leaving 
their property to the enjoyment of 
other people." 

On returning to the vicinity of the 
'•Neutral Ground," our hero resumed 
his former vocation of ferretinig out 
such tories as were concocting plans 
to aid the common enemy, and caus- 
ing them to be brought to justice. 
But such was the result of his ingenu- 
ity and address, that his plans were 
always so contrived as to leave an im- 
pression on the minds of his victims, 
that he was one of their warmest ad- 
herents. He was frequently taken 
and imprisoned with the rest; but 
always escaped, and in such a myste 
rious, inexolicable, wonderful man- 
ner, as occasionally elicited from 
some good old Dutch matron, a dark 
hint, or an '•ambigtious giving-out," 
that Crosby had entered into a sol- 
emn covenant with a certain being 
whose name shall not sully our 
pages. 

Through the medium of the tories, 
whoso confidence in our hero's loy 
alty was every day strengthened by 
the risks he run to serve their cause, 
he obtained much valuable intelli- 
gence respecting the contempl ited 
movements of the lower party. This 
he always found means to communi- 
cate to the Commissioners, who as 
regularly transmitted the same to 
headquarters. 

The year 1777 was distinguished by 
many events, highly interesting to 
those who were engaged in the glori- 
ous struggle for American freedom; 
and there is little doubt that in the 
development of several, the unseen 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBT. 



79 



a<i:ency of Crosby produced the rnosl 
ciuspicions rpsults. 



Hubbardstown, in Vermont; |{i| Her- 
kimer's defeat, while marching to the 



Among the fortunate incidents of I relief of Fort Stanwix,a the plun- 
the year, may be enumerated, the | dering and burning of Danbury, in 
brilliant success of Colonel Meigs, at \ Connecticut, and the consequent bat- 
Sag-Harbour, on Long Island;§ the i tie, in Avhich General Wooster was 
capture of the British General Pres- { mortally wounded, and a number of 
cott, by Colonel Barton, of Provi- ; Crosby's old friends and fellow-sold- 
dence. R. I.;t Colonel Willett's sue- , iers slain ;5 the occupation of Phila- 
cessful sally from Fort Stanwix, delphia by the enemy; the capture of 
since called Fort Schuyler ;t General Fort Montgomery ;c and the wanton 
Stark's victory, at Bennington ;§ Col- 1 conflagration of the continental vil- 
onel Brown's success at Lake George lage of Esopus, and Livingston's 
and Ticonderoga;! the battles of Sa- \ manor. 

ratoga and Stillwater;"! the defeat of i 

the Hessians at Red Bank, by Colo- 1 
nel (ireene;** and, finally the sur- 
render of General Burgoyne, with 
his whole army.ff 

But this life, alas! is a chequered 



CHAPTER XIII. 



THE SPY UNMASKED. 



scene, and the current of human af- 
fairs seldom runs smooth. As a set- 
ofi" to the foregoing, the Americans 
had to deplore a series of disasters. 
Tlie most impoi'tant of these were, 
the unsuccessful battles of Brandy- 
wine and Germantowu;tJ Wayne's 
defeat at Paoli;§§ Warner's defeat at 



Fictitious cliiiracters aside are thrown. 
And epilogues are given in tlieir own. 

I'LAYEK's Manual. 



* 0;i the 'itth of May. Colonel Meigs made a 
successful attack on the Hritish store at Sag- 
Harbour; destroying twelve brigs and schooners, 
t'lgethcr with great (luaiitities of hay, corn. &c. 
Hcsustai'ied no loss, and brought oft with him 
iihiety prisoners. 

+ .See Appendix \o. ix. ISee Appendix No. x. 

See .\ppendix No. xi. 

Oil the iHth of September, the Americans, 
uiid'T Col. Brown, atta -ked and defeated the 
Uriti-ih. on the north end of Lake George, and 
Ticonderoga. Tliey took 293 prisoners, released 
100 .\.mericans, and retook the continental stand- 
ard left thei-e on its evacution, July 6. 1777. 

'J See Appendix. No. xii. 

** See Appendix, No. xiii. 

■if See Appendix, No. xiv. 

it See Appendix, No. xv. 

§? On the 21st ::f Spptemher the Rritish, under 
General (iray, surprised the .\mericaa (General 
Wayne, aboiit one o'clock in the morning, at I'a- 
oli. Of the .Vmericaiis about tliree hundred 
were killed or wounded with the bayonet, and 
about seventy or eiglity prisoners taken, inclu- 
ding sGvci-al olficera. 



Intrigue and stratagem in war, are 
not only justifiable, but aosolutely 
necessary'; and he who proves the 
greatest adept in these, will eventu- 
ally pluck the laurel from the brow of 
his opponent. But that man must pos- 
sess more art, ingenuity, and address, 
than generally falls to the share of 
an individual, who can support a fic- 
titious political character for months, 
and even years, without being com- 
pelled sooner or later to throw ofif the 
m lak, aul to staaJ exposed in his 
own proper person. 



'•/}. Colonel Warner commaniled the rearguard 
of General St. Clair, consisting of twelve hun- 
dred men. on their niirch from Ticonderoga to 
Hubbardstown. in \'ermont. They were pursued 
bv a detachment from Bufgoyne's army, under 
General Fraser. who overtook them near Hub- 
bardstown, where a chisc and severe engage- 
ment toid; place, in which th" l)rave Colonel 
Francis foil, with other valuable American offi- 
cers. Auierican loss. 324 killed, wounded, and 
prisoners. Britisli loss, i.i;! killed and wounded. 

(I Fort Stanwix, since called Fort Schuyler, 
was. early in August, invested by a body of Bri- 
tons, Canadians, toiies. and Indians, and Herki- 
mer was on his march to disperse them. See 
Appendix, No. x' 

h See Appendix, No. xvi. 
c See Appendix, No. xvii. 



80 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



Such, at length, proved to ba the 
destiny of oar h(n*o. The mysterious 
and inexplic;ibl(^ exits, by which he 
uniformly eluded the fate and penal- 
ties of his less fortunate companions, 
began to excite suspicions, which 
were not long in ivceiving confirma- 
tion. The loyalists natui'ally con- 
cluded that there was soinathing 
more in this than m>re chance and 
good luck, if their philosophy could 
only find it out; and by consulting 
on the siTbject, collating circum 
stances, and comparing notes, they at 
length came to the conclusion that 
Eaocih Crosby, instead of baing what 
ho pretended, a friend to the king, 
was in fact an American Spy; and 
unanimously resolved to take sum- 
mary and exemplary vengeance on 
the delinquent. 

Aware of the thi'eatening storm, 
Crosby thought it prudent to retreat 
from its fury. He had a brother-in- 
law in the Highlands, to whom he 
had lately imparted the secret of the 
part he had been playing, for the 
purpose of relieving his pai*ents from 
the burden of anxiety under which 
they had so long labored. He there- 
fore concluded to retire to the High- 
lands, and remiiin with this relation, 
until he could procure a respectable 
situation in the army of Washington. 

But he was watched, by his new 
enemies, moi-e closely than he had 
anticipated; and, on the second day 
of his retirement, was tired at through 
a window, by some person in ambush 
on the outsiilo of the house. The 
bill just grazed his neck, and lacera- 
ted the collar of his coat; it then bur- 
ied itself in an opposite wainscot, 
where the perforation is still to be 
seen. But, on the strictest search, no 



traces of the assailant could be dis- 
covered. 

Our hero was now compelled to be 
very circumspect and guarded in his 
movements; seldom venturing to 
show himself on the outside of the 
dwelling, and constantly sleeping in 
a retired back room, with a loaded 
musket at hand. But what precau- 
tion can elude the subtlety of deter- 
mined vengeance? 

'•A few nights subsequent to the fore- 
going incident," says Crosby, in rela- 
ting this circumstance to the com- 
piler, "an armed gang came to the 
liouse of my brother-in law, burst 
open the door, dragged him from his 
bed, and demanded where I was to be 
found. On his refusing to tell them, 
they commenced beating him until 
they had almost killed him. Perceiv- 
ing that there was no alternative 
loft him, but either to die under their 
hands, or to inform them where I 
slept, he directed them to my room, 
which they entered with the fury of 
demons. 

'•I now awoke, out of a sound sleep, 
when the first object that met my 
view was a large hideous looking fel- 
low, coming at me, with a light in 
one hand, and a drawn pistol in the 
other. I imnodiately sprang from 
my bed; but, bofore I could reach my 
gun, he discharged his pistol at me — 
happily without eftect. I instantly 
returned his fire; but, being in a 
souffle, my aim was imperfect, and the 
shot, of course, ineffactual. 1 then 
grappled with him, and soon had him 
on the floor, completely at my mercy. 

"At this moment, however, finding 
myself, amidst the smoke and confu- 
sion, assailed by three others, I was 
obliged to relinquish my fallen en- 
emy, who sprang upon his feet, while 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



81 



I was defending myself against this i in-law. They then departed with 
formidable reinforcement. Two of j their booty, leaving the family in a 
them at length succeeded in making situation that baifles description.* 
themselves masters of my hands and But these midnight assassins had 
arm=i, which they held extended, happily thought more of their plun- 
while a third presented a pistol to der, than of their personal safety, 
ray breast, with th^ ramifest inten The report of fire-arrns had alarmed 
tion of blowing me through the body, the neighbors, who hastily assembled 
But this was prevented by the //^f ' and pursued the retreating ruffians, 
mane interference of him who had ' whom they finally overtook on the 
just reco-" ered his feet, i bank of the Croton. They were con- 

" 'Don't shoot the d d rascal!' j sidered outlaws, undeserving of quar- 

cxcl aimed he. 'Let us pound him to ! ter. Those who escaped the tire of 
death !' their pursuers, were driven into the 

"And sure enough, at it they went: j river, and several of them drowned! 
and soon found that I had hands and ' On the fall of the stream, in the en- 
feet as well as themselves. More than suing spring, the musket of our hero, 



one of them was saluted with a kick 
in the windchest that shortened his 
breath; and, notwithstanding their 
su})erior numbers, several of them 



with some other articles, were found 
and restored. 

Crosby recovered slowly from his 
wounds and bruises, so that it was 



got a flooring, from a pair of lists I several months before he was lit for 



that had seen some service. 

"But they finally proved too power 



active duty of any kind. The health 
of his brother in-law was much more 



ful for me; .when, exhausted with ex- j speedily restored; but the event it 
ertion and loss of blood, I fell on the j self was one of too much consequence 
floor in a state of insensibility." j to every individual concerned, to be 

Supposing that they had now con- j easily forgotten, 
suminated their bloody purpose, these ' In the mean time, through the in- 
luerciless marauders left their sense- , flueuee of the Marquis LaFayette, 
less victim weltering in his gore, and ; an alliance had been formed between 
r.'turued to the apartment of his j France and the United States of 
broth^n•-in-law, who was not in a j America. This event gave a new and 
much more enviable situation; while brighter aspect to affairs; and was 
the slirieks of women, and the cries | soon followed by the active co-opera- 
of children, added to the distress and tion of a French army and fleet. La 
confusion of the scene. fayette himself had been appointed a 

The villians then proceeded to major general, by Congress, at an 
plunder the house. They broke open early period of the war; but, as yet, 
every drawer and closet they could j held no separate command. He had, 
find; and not a single portable arti- however, distinguished himself, in 
cle, of the most trifling value, was ; several engagements, by the side of 
left behind. Among other things. Washington; and, at the battle of 
they took the clothes and musket of j ■ 

our fallen hero, together with a sum ' * Robbery of rinrvcy Birc-li by tlio Skinner-s, 
„ , , . . 1 • , ,1 ; boars some respiiibhiuco to this atlair.— Aifc the 

or money belonging to his brother- ^ :spy,yai. Lp 455. 



82 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



Brandywine, received a severe wound. 
While posted at Barren Hill, in 
Pennsylvania, with a detachment of 
two thousand five hundred men, an 
attempt was mida by General Grant, 
at the head of seven thousand troops, 
to surprise him. But the Marquis 
defeated his design by a masterly re- 
treat, which did him much honor. He 
also acted a conspicuous part at the 
battle of Monmuith,* where victory 
perched on the standard of freedom. 
Time rolled its ceaseless course, 
and the great contest was continued 
with various success; dame Fortune 
sometimes smiling on one party, and 
sometimes on the other. While the 
enemy could boast of his successful 
depredations at Rhode Island, Egg- 
Harbour, Nantucket, New Haven, 
and varioiTs other places, the Ameri 
cans could congratulate themselves 
on Wayne's glorious victory at Stony- 
Point;t the enemy's repulse atEhode 
Island, by General SuI]ivan;J and on 
the success of Miijor Lee, at Pawles 
Hook.§ Although they had to deplore 

* In this aff;iir the enemy left f >ur officers ;iiul 
245 men dead on t!ie field of bnltle, who were 
buried by the Amerie;uis; they also left four 
officers iiiid fortv men wounded. Several died 
on both sides from the excessive heat of the 
weather, it being the 28th of June, and ther- 
mometer at 9(5. 

t Gen. Wayne took Stony Point, by assault on 
the null of .Fulv. 177.1. Li':'u't.-('o1. .JoUuson, eoni- 
m:iila'it. and'ii.o ha i L-e 1 a'.r.l forty three men 
were taken iJi'isoner-;. Tiie enemy lost sixty- 
three killel, and the Amerieans fifteen, with 
eiirhty-t'iree wounded, thirty of tlienrvery badly. 
Wayiie was wounded in the head with a musket 
ball. 

I In this affair the enemy lost .38 killed and 2!o 
wounded; 12 mis-iing: total loss, 200. The .•Amer- 
ican loss was mu'jh levS. 

§ On the lOtli of July. 177D. Major Lee, of the 
Virginia cavalry, sui-itri-;e<l the enemy's post at 
Pawles' Hook.' Maj )r Sutherland, who com- 
manded the fort, with a number of He.^siaas. 
e=!caped: thirty of iiie gan-ison were killed, and 
.seven ol'ficers and I5(i men taken. The .Vnieri- 
caii lo-is was only six killed an 1 wounded. r>ee, 
accordinir to his orders, retreated iinmediitely 
A large British force being in the vieinitv pre- 
veuteid his destroying the barracks and artillery. 
Lee was a man of fhivalric spirit and enterprise, 
and eo-nnianded the finest corps of cavalry that 
Washington could boast of. I'his active olft '.er 
and amiable gentleman distinguished him self 
oa oiaay occasious durin;; tiie war, and iij, uo 



the unfortunate surprise of Col. Bay- 
lor, at Tappan, by the British General 
Gray, who ordered no quarter to be 
given to the Americans; yet they had 
the consolation of several brilliant 
achievement.^, on their own part, 
which were unsullied by a single act 
of inluimauity. or a drop of needless 
blood. 

The history of our hero Inrnishes 
no event of interest, since the mid- 
night assault of his enemies, until 
we find him holding a subordinate 
command in the elegant corps of the 
Marquis La Fayette. 

Two brigades had been selected 
from the different regiments in tho 
main army, by Washington himself, 
as a compliment to his gallant young 
friend, and fellow-laborer in the glo- 
rious cause of liberty. When duly 
organized, they were paraded and re- 
viewed by the commander-iu- chief, 
with all his general oflicers, who 
were unanimously of the opinion that 
the whole army could not furnish a 
more excellent corps of light in- 
fantiy. They were then presented, 
in form, to the yotmg marquis, who 
was so delighted with his command, 
that he immediately equipped them, 
at his own individual expense, in a 
style of superior elegance. To every 
officer he presentwd an elegant sword, 
and the privates were clothed in a 
beautiful uniform. "He infused into 
this corps a spirit of pride and emu- 
lation, viewing it as one formed and 
modeled according to his own wishes, 
and as deserving his highest confi- 
dence. Tlwy were the pride of his 
heai't — h"- was the idol of their re- 
gard. They were constantly panting 
for aa opportunity of accomplishing 



donbt, tlie "Major Duuwoody" of Cooper's 

Spy- 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBT. 



83 



some signal achievement worthy of 
his and their character, and their 
wishes wore ultimately gratified." 

A detachment from this corps, com- 
manded by Colonel Van Cortlandt, 
was stationed on the east side of the 
Hudson, to muioeuvre on the "Neu- 
tral Ground," whf^re the inhabitants 
were now continually exposed to the 
ravages and insults of refugees and 
tories. One company of this de- 
tachment was commanded by Crosby, 
daring the absence of his captain to 
tho nortli; and was not unfrequeutly 
engaged in some interesting affair 
with the enemy's outposts and pa- 
t roles. 

The situation of the "Neutral 
Ground," at this period, was pain- 
fully interesting to the patriot as 
well as the philanthropist. The 
country was rich and fertile, and the i 
farms appeared to have been advan- 
tageously cultivated; but it now woi'e i 
the murks of a country in ruins. A 
larga proportion of the proprietors 
having abandoned their farm?, the 
few th it ro:n lined found it impossi- 
ble to harvest the produce. The 
meadows and pastures were covered 
with grass of a summer's growth, 
and thousands of bushels of apples 
and other fruit were ripening on the 
trees, for no other purpose than to 
fall and rot on the ground ! 

T'le pvpri nu-ad that er-st brougnt sweetly forth, 

Tac freclileil cowslip, buriict. ami green clover, 

Wa-i(ing thf* scvtlie. all iiueorrectell, i-ank, 

Coiu-eive-i liy i;lleiit'-.s: and mitliing teems. 

Hat hateful docks, rough lliist'es. kecksies, burs, 

Loiiug •»)[■> lie luty au;l utility. 

And as oar vineyards, fallows, meads, and 

hedges. 
Defective in their natures, grow to wildness. 
Shaks., Hen. V. 

Those of the inhabitants of the 

"Neutral Ground" who were tories, 

hid joined tneir friends in New York: 

while the whigs had retired into the 

interior of the country. Some of 



each side had taken up ai-ms, and 
were now the most cruel and deadly 
foes. Within the Britsh line, were 
hordes of banditti, consisting of law- 
less villains, who devoted themselves 
to the most I'apacious pillage and 
robbery among the defenceless in- 
habitants between the lines, many of 
whom were dragged off to New York, 
after witnessing the plunder of their 
hoiTses and farms. These shameless 
mttrauders were known* by the name 
of cotc-hoys and refugees; who, by 
their atrocious deeds, had become a 
scourge and terror to the people. 

In the vicinity of the American 
lines, was another class of robbers, 
equally unprincipled, bvit still more 
criminal, because they committed 
their depredations under the mask of 
patriotism. These were called sAv'n- 
ners, and professed to be whigs; 
while the con-hoys claimed the title of 
loyalists. The lust, of plunder alone 
was the governing impulse of each. 

Numerous instances occurred of 
these miscreants subjecting defence- 
loss persons to cruel tortures, to com- 
pel them to deliver up their money, 
or to^disclose the places whore it had 
been seci'eted. It was not uncommon 
for them to hang a man b}'^ the neck 
till apparently lifeless;* then re- 
store him; repeat the experiment, 
and leave him for dead. 

While Crosby was on duty in the 
vicinity of Teller's Point, where the 
waters of the Croton empty into 
Tappau B;iy. a British sloop of war 
came up the river and anchored in 
the stream, opposite the Point. With 



* In CooiK-r's (lesertptioii of the prei>amtions 
for hauL'ing a Skinner, hy a leadei- of the Refu- 
gees, lie says, the Skinner •'had so often resorted 
to a similar e\:iedient to extort infiiriiiatioa or 
Iilnndei-. lliat he by no means felt the terror an 
nn:ir:ic! isc(t ninn would h;i ve snlfered. ;\t these 
uiiiiiiijus movements."— i'(x' Sinj. Xol. ii p. 254. 



84 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



an unconquerable predilection for 
stratagem, our hero immediately con- 
certed a plot, for the sole purpose, as 
he says, of affording "a little sport 
for his soldieroi." He accordingly, 
proceeded down to the Point, accom- 
panied by sis men; five of whom, 
besides himself, concealed themselves 
iu the woods, which grew a short dis- 
tance from the shore, while the other 
paraded the beach, so as to display 
La Fayette's uniform in so conspicu 
ous a manner as to attract the notice 
of the officer on bo:ir>] the vessel. 

The enemy swallowed the bait; and 
a boat soon put off from the sloop of 
war, manned with eleven men, under 
the command of alieuteri^int, to make 
a prisoner of this one yankee, who 
precipitately fled into the woods, as 
the barge approached the shore. The 
Englishmen followed, threatening to 
shoot the fugitive unless he stopped 
and surrendered. 

As soon as the pursuers had passed 
his own little party, which were scat- 
tered in various directions, Crosby 
exclaimed — 

"Cv^me oa, my boys! "Now wo have 
them!" 

At this signnl every man sprang 
up iu his place, with a shout Ihat 
made the welkin ring; making, at the 
same time, such a rustling in the 
bashes, that the British, thinking 
themselveT, surrounded by a superior 
force, surrendered without resistance. 
On the next day they were marched 
to Fishkill, and contined in the old 
Dutch church. 

Van Courtlandt's detachment was 
small; but by a well-mmaged Hnesse, 
he often succeeded in deceiving the 
enemy, as to its real numbers. He 
would occasionally approach the 
British lines; and, posting his men 



in scattered positions, among the 
hills, cause each squad to beat to 
arms successively. They would then 
show themselves to the British, and 
manoeuvre in such a manner as to 
appear like reioforcoments coning 
down to join the main body. This 
ruse de guerre often deterred the en- 
emy from pursuing his predatory ex- 
cursions against th^ defonceless in- 
habitants of tlie "Neutral Ground." 

Van Cortlandt's detachment, how- 
ever, was at length ordered to West 
Point, and from thence to the main 
army at Tappan, in New Jersey; 
where Crosby remained until his 
stipulated term of service had ex- 
pired. In the meantime, the follow- 
ing incident occnrred, for the authen- 
ticity of which we have the testimony 
of Van Cortlandt himself; although 
the particulars, it is believed, have 
never before been published : 

A yoiing man, of Peekskill, by the 
name of John Paulding, while serv 
ing his country in the Westchester 
militia, was taken prisoner, and sent 
to New York city. Whether he was 
contined in a sugar-house, or the jjro- 
i'o.sf,t as it was then called, we have 
not been informed; nor do we know 
the length of time he remained a 
captive. It was in the summer of 
1780, however, about the period that 
a celebrated satirical poem was pub- 
lished in New York, entitled the 
"Cow-Chase,";!; from the pen of John 
Andre, adjutant-general iu the Bri- 
tish army. 

t Tho present dehtor's jail. 
i This l)itter satire, tlie reader will doubtless 
rofollect, was directed a^jaiiist tlie American 
Uri'^Mdier-Ceiieral Waytx'. the liero of Stoiiy 
I'oint: whom the poet aeeiises of steali'i^i; cattle 
for tlie ti-se of the American army. Tlie iM)ein 
concludes with tlie loWowiuii; proplief.ic stimza: 
"And now I close my epic strain, 

I tremble as I sliow it. 
Lest this same warrior-drover Wayne 
Siioulil ever catch the poet." 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



85 



Though vigilantly watehed, Paul- 
diug was allowed the liberty of his 
prisoo-yard, a capacious enclosure, 
surrounded by a strong high fence. 
By bribing a colored woman, who 
lived in the vicinity, to fiirnish him 
with a ladder, he one night effected 
his escape from the yard; and, after 
remaining concealed some time in 
her cellar, succeeded in reaching the 
North River, undiscovered. Here he 
found a boat, and finally landed in 
safety, on the Jersey shore, near Ho 
boken. He then made the best of 
his way to the American army at 
Tappan, where he related his adven- 
ture to his fellow townsmen. Colonel 
Van Cortlaudt, whose assistance he 
solicited, in proceeding to Peekskill. 
Van Cortlandt, accordingly, supplied 
him with money, furnished him with 
a puss, and procured him a passage 
across the river. 

After landing on the eastern side 
of the Hudson, Paulding directed 
his course homeward; but had not 
proceeded far. when he met two of 
his former companions in arms, Da- 
vid Williams and Isaac Van Wart; 
who hailed his return with joy, and 
heartily congratulated him on his 
fortunate escape. After some con- 
versation, they, prevailed upon Paul- 
ding to relinquish , his intention of 
going directly to Peekskill, and to 
accompany them on an excursion 
down the "Neutral Ground," towards 
the British lines, where they were 
going, they said, "to have some fun 
with the cow-boys." Young and en- 
terprising, Pauldkig readily acceded 
to the proposal; and, after providing 
himsflf with a musket, and other 
requisites, he accompanied his reck- 
less associates to Tarrytown, where 
they achieved an adventure that im- 



mortalized their names, and saved 
their country from inevitable ruin. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE SPY AND THE TUAITOK. 

-l.s there not some chosen cnrse, 



Sonic hidden thnniler in the stores of heaven, 
Ked with uncommon wrath, to bhist the man 
Wlio owes liis greatness to liis conntrv's ruin! 

Addison. 

About the middle of September, 
the commander-in-chief, attetided by 
Generals LaFayette and Knox, with 
a splendid retinue, left the American 
camp in New Jersey, and proceeded 
to Hartford, in Connecticut, for the 
purpose of holding a conference with 
the commanding officers of the French 
fleet and army, which had lately ar- 
rived at Rhode Island. In the mean- 
time, the command of the American 
army devolved on Major-G.eneral 
Greene, whose head -quarters were at 
Tappan, where the corps to which 
Crosby was attached, was now sta- 
tioned. 

A week had elapsed since the de- 
parture of Washington, and no inci- 
dent of importance had occurred. 
Greene had learned, through the 
medium of his spies, that some secret 
expedition was on foot, at the city of 
New York; but of its nature and di- 
rection, he could not obtain the 
smallest hint. On the ninth day, 
however, at three o'clock in the morn- 
ing, an alarm was spread through the 
American camp; and, in a few 
minutes, all were under arms. A de- 
tachment, consisting of two regi- 
ments, was immediately ordered to 
march to West Point, with all pos- 
sible expedition; and the rest of the 
troops were directed to hold them- 
selves in readiness to march at a 
moment's warning. 

While every one was pondering in 



86 



THE SPY unmasked; OR, 



his own mind the probable object of 
this sudden movement, and vainly en- 
deavoring to conjecture the cause, a 
general order was promulgated,which 
soon explained it to the whole army, 
filling every breast with astonishment 
and indignation. The following com- 
munication, in the orders of General 
Greene, was read by the Adjutants to 
their respective regiments: — 

"Treason, of the blackest dye, was 
yesterday discovered. General Ar- 
nold, who commanded at West Point, 
lost to every sentiment of honor, of 
private and pablic obligation, was 
about to deliver up that important 
post into the hands of the enemy. 
Such an event must have given the 
American cause a dangerous, if not a 
fatal, wound. Happily the treason 
has been timely discovered, to pre- 
vent the fatal misfortune. The 
providential train of circumstances, 
which led to it, affords the most con- 
vincing proofs that the liberties of 
America are the object of Divine pro 
tection. At the same time that the 
treason is to be regretted, the Gen- 
eral cannot help congratulating the 
army on the happy discovery. Our 
enemies, despairing of carrying their 
point by force, are practicing every 
base art to effect, by bribery and cor- 
ruption, what they cannot accomplish 
in a manly way. 

"Great honor is due to the Ameri- 
can army, that this is the first in- 
stance of treason of the kind, where 
many were to be expected from the 
nature of our dispute. The brightest 
ornament in the character of the 
American soldier is, their having 
been proof against all the arts and se- 
ductions of an insidious enemy. 

"Arnold has made his escape to the 
enemy; but Major Andre, the Adjn- 



tant-General of the British army, Avho 
came out, as a spy, to negociate the 
business, is our prisoner." ^ 

The particulai's of Andre's arrest 
and trial are familiar to every reader.* 
Lieutenant Colonel Jameson was 
then the commanding officer on the 
American lines, above the neutral 
ground; and to him was Andre con- 
ducted by his incorruptible captors, 
Paulding, Van Wart, and Williams; 
whom, in our last chapter, we left on 
their way to Tarrytown. The pris- 
oner immediately requested Jameson 
to inform Arnold, by letter, that 
John Anderson was taken on his 
way to New York, with which 
request the Lieutenant Colonel 
immediately complied. Arnold re- 
ceiv3d the letter about ten o'clock 
in the morning, while at break- 
fast. Two of Washington's aids, 
Major Shaw and Dr. M'Henry, had 
just arrived, and were at breakfast at 
Arnold's table. His confusion was 
visible, but no. one could divine the 
cause. 

Struck with the pressing danger of 
his situation, momentarily expecting 
Washington's return from Hartford, 
the traitor called instantly for a 
horse. 

"A horse!" exclaimed he, as he 
started from the table. "Any one — 
even if a wagon horse!" 

He then bade a hasty adieu to his 
wife,and enjoining a positive order on 
the messenger not to inform any one 
that he was the bearer of a letter 
from Colonel Jameson, he repaired to 
his barge, and ordered the coxswain, 
with eight oarsmen, to proceed down 
the river, to the sloop-of-war Vulture, 
which he reached in safety, under the 

* Se- Ai>;.(':ulix. Xo. XVI II. 



MEMOmS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



87 



protection of a Hag, and vifhich im 
mediately set sail for New York. 

Washington arrived at Arnold's 
quarters in two hours after the traitor 
had escaped. Not finding Arnold at 
home, and being informed that he 
had gone to West Point, Washington 
passed over the river to view the 
works at that post; but not finding 
Arnold, he returned, in the hope of 
meeting him at his quarters. But 
here he was again disappointed, for 
no person could account for his 
absence. 

Mrs. Arnold was now in her 
chamber, in great agitation and dis 
tress, deprived of her reason, and Dr. 
Eustis in attendance. ' At a lucid in- 
terval, she requested to see Washing- j 
ton; but by the time he reached the 
chamber, her distraction returned, 
and she knew him not. He then j 
withdrew, and, I'epairing to the i 
dining-room, sat down to dinner, but 
soon arose again with apparent agita 
tion. He then took Colonel Lamb 
aside, and expressed to him his sus- 
picion that Arnoli had deserted to 
the enemy. In less than two houi*s it 
was ascertained that the conjecture 
was too well founded; for a despatch 
arrived from Colonel Jameson, with 
an account of the capture of Andre, 
accompanied by his own letter of 
confession. The prisoner was con- 
ducted to West Point, and from 
thence to headquarters at Tappan, 
where preparations were made for his 
trial by a court-martial. 

Washington immediately pro 
ceeded to the camp, at Tappan; and, 
the moment he arrived, sent for 
Major Loe, who was posted, with the 
Virginia light-horse, some distance in. 
front. "This officer repaired to head- 
quarters with celerity, and found the 



General in his marqiiee alone, busily 
engaged in writing. So soon as Lee 
entered, he was requested to take a 
seat, and a bundle of papers, lying on 
the table, was given him for perusal. 

"In these papers, much information 
WH,s detailed, tending to prove that 
Arnold was not alone in the base 
conspiracy just detected; but that 
the poison had spread; and that a 
Major-General, whose name was not 
concealed, was certainly as guilty as 
Arnold himself. 

"This information had just been re- 
ceived by Washington, through his 
confidential agents in New York; 
and Lee immediately suggested the 
probability that the whole was a con- 
trivance of Sir Henry Clinton, in 
order to destroy that confidence be- 
tween the commander and his officers, 
on which the success of military 
operations depend. ^ 

"'The suggestion,' replied Wash- 
ington, 'is plausible, and deserves due 
consideration. It early occurred to 
my own mind, and has not been 
slightly regarded. But the same 
suggestion applies to no officer more 
forcibly than a few days ago it would 
have done to General Arnold, now 
known to be a traitor. 

" T have sent for you, sir, in the ex- 
pectation that you have in your corps 
individuals capable and willing to un- 
dertake an indispensable, delicate, 
and hazardous project. Whoever 
comes forward on this occasion, will 
lay me under great obligations per- 
sonally; and, in behalf of the United 
States, I will reward him amply. No 
time is to be lost; he must proceed, if 
possible, this night. My object is to 
probe to the bottom the afflicting in- 
telligence contained in the papers 
you have just read, to seize Arnold, 



88 



THE SPY unmasked; or. 



and, by getting him, to save Andre. 
Tliey are all connected. While my 
emissary is engaged in preparing 
means for the seizure of Arnold, the 
guilt of others can be traced; and the 
timely delivery of Arnold to me, will 
possibly put it into my power to res- 
tore the amiable and unfortunate 
Andre to his friends.' " * 

Lee readily undertook tj lind a 
member of his corps capable of exe- 
cuting this hazardous service, but 
doubted whether he would consent to 
engage in an enterprise, the lirst step 
to which was desertion. The person 
he selected was the Sergeant -Major 
of the corps, Champe by name, and a 
Virginian by birth; who, after much 
persuasion, consented to undertake it- 
He that night deserted to the enemy ; 
and, though closely pursued, reached 
PawJes' Hook in safety, and was 
taken on board a British galley, 
which conveyed him to New York, 
where he was closely examined by 
Sir Heni'y Clinton, who gave him a 
letter of introduction to Arnold, who 
immediately appointed him one of 
his recruiting sergeants. 

In the meantime, the interposition 
of Sir Henry Clinton, who was ex- 
tremely anxious to save his much- 
loved aid-de-camp, still continued; 
and it was expected that the exami- 
nation of witnesses, and the defence 
of the prisoner, would protract the de- 
cision of the court of inquiry, which 
assembled on the twenty-ninth of the 
month, and give sufficient time for 
the consummation of the project 
committed to Champe, from whom 
information had just been received 
that gave some hopes of his success. 
But a complete disappointment took 



See the Memoirs of Major Henry Lee. 



place from a quarter unforeseen and 
unexpected. Andre disdained de- 
fence, and prevented the examination 
of witnesses, by confessing the char- 
acter in which ho stood. He was 
consequently declared to be a spy, 
and condemned to suffer accordingly. 

Washington approved the sentence, 
and ordered his execution to take 
place on the iirst day of October, at 
five o'clock in the afternoon. In this 
decision he was warranted by the very 
unpromising intelligence cjutaiued 
in another letter f mm Champe, which 
he had just received; by the still ex- 
isting implication of other officei's in 
Arnold's conspiracy; by a due regard 
to public opinion; and by real ten- 
derness to the prisoner himself. 

Neither Congress nor the nation 
could have been, with pi'opriety, in 
formed of the cause of the delay, had 
any been interposed; and without 
such infornicition, it must have ex- 
cited in both, alarm and suspicion. 
The secret was known to none but 
Washington, Lee, Champe. and a con- 
fidential agent in New York. Andre 
himself could not iiave been in- 
strusted with it; and would, conse- 
quently, have attributed the un- 
looked-for event to the expostulation 
and exertion of Sir Henry Clinton, 
.which would not fail to produce in 
his breast expectations of ultimate 
relief; to excite which would have 
been cruel, as the realization of such 
expectation depended only on a pos- 
sible, but improbable, contingency. 

On the first day of October, at the 
hour appointed, a large concourse of 
people assembled to witness the exe- 
cution of the gallant and unfortunate 
young officer. The gallows was 
erected, and the grave and coffin pre- 
pared; but a Hag of ti'uce arrived 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 



89 



with a communication from Sir Henry 
Clinton, making another and further 
proposals for the release of Major 
Andre; in consequence of which the 
execution was postponed until twelve 
o'clock on the following day. 

This flag was accompanied by the 
British General Robertson, with An- 
drew Elliott and William Smith, 
Esquires, for the purpose of pleading 
for the release of Major Andre, the 
royal army being in the greatest 
affliction on the occasion. 

Elliot and Smith, not being mili 
tary officers, were not permitted to 
land; but General Greene was ap- 
pointed, by the commander-in-chief, 
to meet Robertson, at Dobb's ferry, ' 
and to receive his communications. 
He had, however, nothing material to ! 
urge, but that Andre had come on 
shore under the sanction of a tiag, 
and therefore could not be considered 
as a spy. But this plea was contra- 
dicted by Andre's ©wn confession. 

"Having failed in this point, Rob- 
ertson requested that the opinion of 
disinterested. persons might betaken; 
and pioposed Generals Knyphausen 
and Rochambeau, as proper persons. 
This proposition could not be ac- 
ceded to. 

"Robertson then had recourse to 
threats of retaliation, on some people 
in New York and Charleston; but he 
was told that such conversation could 
not be heard nor understood. 

"He next urged the release of 
Andre on motives of humanity, say-^ 
ing he wished an intercourse of such 
civilities as might lessen the horrors 
of war, and. cited instances of Sir 
Henry Clinton's merciful disposition ; 
adding that Andre possessed a great 
share of that gentleman's affection 
and esteem, and that he would be in 



finitelj obliged if he was spared. He 
offered, that if his earnest wishes 
were complied with, to engage that 
any prisoner in their possession, 
whom Washington might name, 
should be immediately set at lib- 
erty."* 

But all intercession was fruitless; 
and least of all availed a letter to 
Washington, of which Robertson was 
the bearer, from the traitor Arnold, 
tilled with threats of retaliation, and 
the accountability of Washington for 
the torrents of blood that might be 
spilt, if he should order the execution 
of Andre! It is difficult to say which 
created the most astonishment in the 
breast of Greene — that Arnold should 
have the consummate effrontery to 
write such a letter; or that Robert- 
son should consent to be the bearer 
of it. 

Nothing, of course, was eff'ected by 
this interview, and tha messengers 
returned in despondency to New 
York, xindi-e, in the meantime, dur- 
ing his confinement, trial, and con- 
demnation, evinced a composure and 
dignity of mind, that enlisted the 
sympathies of all in his favor. Not 
a murmur escaped him; while the 
civilities and attentions bestowed on 
him, were gratefully and politely ac- 
knowledged. Having left a mother 
and two sisters in England, he was 
heard to mention them in terms of 
the tenderest aff'ection; and in his 
letter to Sir Henry Clinton, he recom- 
mended them to his particular at- 
tention. 

Crosby assures us that, though 
every one acknowledged the policy of 
the sentence, there was scarcely one 
that spoke of his approaching fate 

* See Thacher's Journa), p. 271. 



90 



THE SPY unmasked: OR, 



without evincing the deepest emo- 
tions of sympathy. The principal 
guard officer, who was constantly 
in the room with Andre, informed 
Crosby that when the fatal hour ar- 
rived, and the prisoner was sum- 
moned to attend, he heard and com- 
plied without any visible emotion; 
and while all present were more or 
less affected, he retained a serene 
countenance, with calmness and com- 
posure of mind. 

The i)risoner walked from the stone 
house in which he had been confined, 
between two subaltern officers, arm 
in arm. A large detachment of 
troops was paraded, and an immense 
concourse of people assembled, to 
witness the awful ceremony. As the 
situation of Crosby, in the procession, 
was not so convenient for observa- 
tion, we will give the remaining par- 
ticulars in the language of Dr. 
Thacher, to whose excellent journal 
we have already acknowledged our- 
selves largely indebted. 

"During the solemn march to the 
fatal spot," says the Doctor, "I was 
so near as to observe every move- 
ment, and participate in every emo- 
tion, which the melancholy scene was 
calculated to produce. The eyes of 
the immense multitude were fixed on 
the prisoner; who, rising superior to 
the fears of death, appeared as if 
conscious of t|he dignified deportment 
which he displayed. He betrayed no 
want of fortitude, but retained a 
complacent smile on his countenance, 
and politely bowed to several gentle- 
men whom he knew, which was I'e- 
spectfully returned. 

"It was his earnest desire to be 
shot, as being the mode of death 
most comformable to the feelings of a 
military man, and he had indulged 1 



the hope that his request woiald be 
granted. At that moment, therefore, 
when suddenly he came in view of 
the gallows, he involuntarily started 
backward, and made a pause. 'Why 
this emotion, sir?' said an officer at 
his side. Instantly recovering his 
composure, he said — 'I am reconciled 
to my death, but I detest the mode.' 

"While waiting, and standing near 
the gallows," continues Dr. Thacher, 
"I observed some degree of trepida- 
tion; placing his foot on a stone, and 
rolling it ovei% and choking in his 
throat, as if attempting to swallow.. 
So soon, however, as he perceived that 
things were in readiness, he stepped 
quickly into the wagon; and, at this 
moment, he appeared to shrink; but, 
instantly elevating his head with firm- 
ness, he said, 'It will bebvit a momen- 
tary pang;' and taking from his 
{)ocket two white handkerchiefs, the 
provost marshall, with one, loosely 
pinioned his arms; and, with the 
other, the victim, after taking off his 
hat and stock, bandaged his own 
eyes, with j^erfect firmness, which 
melted the hearts and moistened the 
cheeks, not only of his servant, but of 
the throng of spectators. 

"The rope being appended to the 
gallows, he slipped the noose over his 
own head, and adjusted it to his neck, 
without the assistance of the awk- 
ward executioner. Colonel Scammel 
now informed him that he had an op- 
portunity to speak, if he desired it. 
He raised the handkerchief from his 
eyes, and said — 'I praj^ you to bear 
me witness that I meet my fate like a 
brave man.' The wagon being now 
remove^ from under him, he was 
suspended, and instantly expired. It 
proved, indeed, 'but a momentary 
pang.' 



MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBT. 



91 



•'He was dressed in his royal regi- 
mentals and boots; and his remains, | 
in the same dress, were placed in an i 
ordinary coffin, and interred at thfe [ 
foot of the gallows; and the spot was j 
consecrated l)y the tears of thou- j 
sands."* 

The enterprise of Champa was well 
concerted, and would probably have 
succeeded but for an unforeseen ac- 
cident. On the day preceding the 
night fixed upon for the execution of 
the plot, Arnold removed his quarters 
to another part of the town; and 
Champe, with all Arnold's new re- 
cruits, were transferred from their 
bta*racks to one of the transports. 
He was thus compelled to proceed 
with Arnold to Virginia, where he 
made his escape, and rejoined the 
American Army soon after it had 
passed the Cougaree. in pursuit of 
Lord Kawdon. 

C O N C L X^ S I O N. 

Now lire our brows IidiukI witli victorious 

w reulhs. 
Our liruiscd arms luiiij;; up for iiionunieuts: 
Our stt-ru alarni-^ clianircd to merry uief tings. 
Our (Ircailful uiarclii's. to ilelifiutful measures; 
(iii!Ji-\ isafi'i'd wai' liatli smootli'd his wrinkled 

tioul. " SHAKKM'K.AHK. 

A feiv weeks after the foregoing 
events, intelligence was received of a 
very brilliant exploit of the militia in 
North Carolina, under Colonels 
Campbell, Cleveland, Shelby, and 
Sevier; who, with about three thou- 
sand volunteers, attacked and de- 
feated Major Ferguson, at the head 
of a large force of refugees and tories. 
Ferguson, with one hundred and 
fifty of his men, were killed, and 
eiglit hundred and ten taken pris- 
oners, of whom one hundred and fifty 
were wounded. They also took fifteen 

* In thf autunm of is.'l. the remains of Major 
Andre weie disinterred, and transpiuled to 
Enulaud. 



hundred stand of arms. Of the 
Americans, Colonel Williams was 
mortally wounded; about twenty 
killed, and a number disabled. Ten 
of the prisoners were immediately 
hung as traitors. This is called the 
Battle of King's Mountain. 

But few incidents occurred in the 
vicinity of New York, during the en- 
suing winter and spring. In July 
following, the French and Aro/erican 
armies formed a junction at White 
Plains, from whence they proceeded 
to New Jersey. After some ingenious 
mancpuvering to deceive the British 
with respect to his real designs, 
Washington suddenly marched to the 
south, with the combined armies, 
leaving Sir Henry Clinton under the 
apprehension of an immediate attack 
on the city of New York. 

The result of this southern expe- 
iition is well known. Cornwallis 
surrended his army at Yorktown, and 
the ministry of England gave up the 
contest in despair. Our independence 
was acknowledged, peace restored, 
and the smiles of joy scattered over 
the long afflicted country. 

Crosby remained, with the division 
of the army which was left under the 
command of Heath, for the defence of 
the posts in the Highlands, until the 
period of his engagement had ex- 
pired. He then retii'ed to Southeast, 
where his father died shortly after- 
wards; and there he has since re 
sided up to the present day. 

He cultivates a small farm, the 
product of his own industry, since 
the peace of 1783; having receiv?d, 
for all his revolutionary services, 
only the trifiing pittance of two hun- 
dred and tiftv dollars.* He has had 



^ "Never!" said Bireli, speakiiipr out; "was it 
for money I did all this."— 8pj/, Vol. it. p. 274. 



92 



THE SPY UNMASKED. 



two wives, the last of whish was the 
widow of Colonel Greene; and he is 
the father of four children, two sons 
and two daughters, who are grown 
up, and settled in the county of 
Westchester. For twenty-eight years 
he was justice of the peace in the 
town of Southeast; and for the last 
fourteen years he has held the office 
of deacon in the Presbyterian church. 
He has likewise held that of deputy- 
sheriif for the county. He is uni- 



versally respected by his neighbors, 
acquaintance, and fellow-citizens 
generally; and now enjoys a "green 
old age," which, we trust, will be 
succeeded by a happy immortality; 
for Enoch Crosby was, "for years, a 
faithful and unrequited servant of 
his country. Though man does not, 
may God I'eward him for his con- 
duct."* 

* See the concluding paragraph of the "Spy." 




vhuiu I'Mit a.vv 



OLLD TRINITY CHURCH, FISHIvILK 
[See Page 143.] 



APPENDIX. 



Note I.— Page 21. I 

DESTRUCTION OF THE TEA IN BOSTON HAR- 
BOR. \ 

The Americans, determined to op- 1 
pose the revenue system of the Eng- i 
lish parliament, in every possible 
shape, considered the attempt of the j 
East India Company, to evade the [ 
resolutions of the colonies, and dis- 
pose of teas in America, as an indi- 
rect mode of taxation, sanctioned by 
til© authority of parliament. Several 
public meetings were held on the 
subject, particularly in the town of 
Boston. At one of these meetings, 
while the assembled multitude were 
in quiet consultation, on the safest 
mode to prevent the sale and con- 
sumption of an herb, noxious at least 
to the political constitution, the de- 
bates were interrupted by the en- 
trance of the Shei'ift", with an order 
from the governor, styling them an 
illegal assembly, and directing their 
immediate dispersion. 

This authoritative mandate was 
treated with great contempt, and the 
Sheriff instantly hissed out of the 
house. A confused murmur ensued, 
both within and without the walls; 
but in a few moments all was again 
tiuiet, and^ the meeting adjourned 
without delay. 

Within an hour after this was 
known abroad, there appeai'ed a great 
number of persons, clad like the 
aborigines of thf? wilderness, with 
tomahawks in their hands, and clubs 



on their shoulders, who, without the 
least molestation, marched through 
the streets with silent solemnity, and 
amidst innumerable spectators, pro- 
ceeded to the wharves, boarded the 
ships, demanded the keys, and with- 
out much deliberation knocked open 
the chests, and emptied several thou- 
sand weight of the finest teas into 
the ocean. No opposition was made, 
though • surrounded by the king's 
ships; all was silence and dismay. 

This done, the procession returned 
through the town in the same order 
and solemity as observed in the out- 
set of their attempt. No other dis- 
order took place, and it was observed 
the stillest night ensued that Boston 
had enjoyed for several months. 

The number of persons disguised 
as Indians is variously stated — none 
put it lower than 60, none higher 
than 80. The destruction was effected 
by the disguised persons, and some 
young men who volunteered; one of 
the latter collected the tea which fell 
into the shoes of himself and com- 
panions, and put it into a phial, and 
sealed it up; — which phial is now in 
his possession,^ — containing the same 
tea. The contrivers of this measure, 
and those who carried it into effect, 
will never be known; some few per- 
sons have been mentioned as being 
among the disguised ; but there are 
many and obvious reasons why se- 
cresy then, and concealment since, 
were necessary. — None of those per- 



94 



APPENDIX. 



sons who were confidently said to 
have been of the pai'ty, (except some 
who were then minors or very young 
men,) have, ever admitted that they 
were so. Mr. Samuel Adams is 
thought to have been in the counsel- 
ling of this exploit, and many other 
men who were leaders in the political 
affairs of the times; and the hall of 
council is said to have been in the 
back room of Edes and Gill's print- 
ing office, at the coi'ner of the alley 
leading to Brattle-street from Court- 
street. There are very few alive now, 
who helped to empty the chests of 
tea, and these few will probably be as 
prudent as those who have gone be- 
fore them."' 



No. II.— Page 23. 

FEMALE PATRIOTISM. 

The following anecdote, which is 
too well authenticated to be disputed, 
furnishes one instance, among thou- 
sands, of that heroic spirit and love 
of liberty which characterized the 
American females during the struggle 
for independence. 

"A good lady — we knew her when 
she had grown old — in 1775, lived on 
the sea-board, about a day's march 
from Boston, where the British army 
then was. By some unaccountable 
accident, a rumor was spread, in town 
and country, in and about there, that 
the regulais were on a full march for 
that place, and would probably ar- 
rive in three hours at farthest. This 
was after the battle of Lexington, 
and all, as might be well supposed, 
was in sad confusion — some were 
boiling with rage and full of fight, 
some with fear and confusion, some 
hiding their treasures, and others 
flying for life. In this wild moment, 



when most people, in some way or 
other, were fi'ightened from their 
property, our heroine, who had two 
sons, one about nineteen years of 
age, the other about sixteen, was seen 
by our informant, preparing them to 
discharge their duty. The eldest she 
was able to equip in fine style — she 
took her husband's fowling-piece, 
'made for duck or plover,' (the good 
man being absent on a coasting voy- 
age to Virginia,) and with it the pow- 
der horn and shot-bag; but the lad 
thinking the duck and goose shot not 
quite the size to kill regulai's, his 
mother took a chisel, cut np her 
pewter spoons, and hammered them 
into slugs, and put them into his 
bag, and he set off in great earnest 
but thought he would call one 
moment and see the parson, who 
said, 'Well done, my brave boy — God 
preserve you' — and on he went in the 
way of his duty. The youngest was 
importunate for his equipments, but 
his mother could find nothing to 
arm him with but an old rusty 
sword; the boy seemed rather un- 
willing to risk himself with this 
alone, but lingered in the street, in a 
state of hesitation, when his mother 
thus upbraided him. 'You John 
H*****, what will your father say, if 
he hears that a child of his is afraid 
to meet the British? — go along; beg 
or borrow a gun, or you will find one, 
child — some coward, I dare say, will 
be running away, then take his gun 
and march forwai'd, and if you come 
back, ard I hear you have not be- 
haved like a man, I shall carry the 
blush of shame on my face to the 
grave.' She then shut the door, 
wiped the tear from her eye, and 
waited the issue; the boy joined the 
march. Such a woman could not 



APPENDIX. 



95 



have cowards for her sons. Instances 
of refined and delicate pride and af- 
fection occurred, at that period, every 
day, in different places; and in fact 
this disposition and feeling was then 
so common, that it now operates as 
one great cause of our not having 
more facts of this kind recoi'ded. 
What few there are remembered 
should not be lost. Nothing great or 
glorious was ever achieved which 
women did not act in, advise, or con- 
sent to.''- 



No. III.— Page 23. 

BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

The heights of Charlestown were so 
situated as to make the possession of 
thtm a matter of great consequence, 
to either of the contending parties. 
Orders were therefore issued, June 
16th, by the provincial commanders, 
that a detachment of a thousand men 
should intrench upou Breed's Hill.* 
Here the Americans, between mid 
night and morning, with uncommon 
expedition and silence, threw up a 
a small redoubt which the British did 
not discover till the morning of the 
17th, when they began an incessant 
firing, and continued it till afternoon. 
With the intrepidity of veteran 
soldiers, the Americans bore this fire, 
and proceeded to finish their redoubt 
and to throw up a breastwork, ex- 
tending eastward of it to the bottom 
of the hill. -About noon. General 
Gage detached Major-General Howe, 
and Brigadier -General Pigot, with 
the flower of his army, in two de 
tachments, amounting in the whole 
to nearly 3,000 men. They landed at 
a point about 150 or 200 rods south- 

* Histcriaiis, tlirough mistake, have called tlie 
hill whort' the battle was fought. J3u?i7fc)- Hill. 
whicl] is a (iiiartcr of a mile north of BrejCd's. or 
Kiissell's Hill, where the battle was foujyit. 



east of the redoubt, and deliberately 
prepared for the attack. While the 
troops, who first landed, were waiting 
for a reinforcement, the Americans 
on the left wing towards Mystic 
River, for their security, pulled up 
some adjoining post and rail fence, 
and set it down in two parallel lines 
near each other, and filled the space 
between with hay, which the day be- 
fore was mowed and remained in the 
adjacent field. The British troops, in 
the meantime, formed in two lines, 
and about 3 o clock advanced slowly 
towards the Americans. The hills 
and steeples in Boston, and the cir- 
cumjacent country, were crowded 
with anxious spectators of the du- 
bious conflict. While some felt for 
the honor of the British troops, mul- 
titudes, with a keener sensibility, 
felt for the liberties of a great and 
growing counti'y.— The attack com- 
menced on the part of the British 
troops. The Americans had the pre- 
caution, in obedience to the orders of 
their commanding officer, to reserve 
their fire till their enemies had' ap- 
proached within 10 or 12 rods of 
their works. They then began a 
well-directed and furious discharge 
of small arms, which mowed down 
their enemies in ranks, and occasioned 
a disorderly and precipitate retreat. 
Their officers rallied them with dif- 
ficulty, and pushed them forward 
with their swords, to a second attack. 
They were in the same manner put to 
flight a second time. With still 
greater difficulty they wei'e forced by 
General Howe to a third attack. By 
this time the powder of the Americans 
began to fail, and their redoubt was 
attacked on two sides. Under these 
circumstances, a retreat was ordered; 
the left wing of the Americans, north- 



96 



ATPPENDIX. 



east of the redoubt, still continuing 
their fire, ignorant ot what had taken 
place on the right, till the British 
had nearly surrounded them. The 
retreat was affected, with an incon- 
siderable loss, considering the greater 
part of the distance they had to pass 
was completely exposed to the inces- 
sant fire of the Glasgow man-of-war, 
and two floattng batteries. In this 
retreat Warren fell. 

During the heat of this bloody 
action, by order of General Gage, 
Charlestown was set on fire, by a bat 
tery on Cops Hill, in Boston, and a 
party from the Somerset man-of-war, 
lying in Charles River, and nearly 
400 houses, including six public 
buildings, were consumed, with their 
furniture, &c., valued by nineteen 
men, under oath, at £156,900 specie; 
and 2,000 persons reduced from 
afflaence and mediocrity, to the most 
aggravated poverty and exile. 

The number of Americans engaged 
in this memorable action was only 
1,500. There have been few battles 
in modern wars in which, all cir- 
cumstances considered, there was a 
greater slaughter of men than in this 
short engagement. The loss of the 
British, as acknowledged by General 
Gage, amounted to 1,054 men. Nine- 
teen commissioned officers were killed, 
and 70 wounded. The loss of the 
Americans was 77 killed, 278 wounded 
and missing. 

The death of Major-General War- 
ren, who four days before had re- 
ceived his commission, and, who, 
having no command assigned him, 
fought this day as a volunteer, was 
particularly and greatly lamented. 
"To the purest patriotism, and the 
most undaunted bravery, he added 
the eloquence of an accomplished 



orator, and the wisdom of an able 
statesman." 

No. IV. -Page 28. 

DORCHESTER HEIGHTS. 

On the 22d of February, 1776, it 
was evident that some gi'eat pre- 
parations were on foot, in the Ameri- 
can army, for some important event. 
Orders were received, in the hospital 
department, to prepare lint and 
bandages, to the amount of two thou- 
sand, for fractured limbs and other 
gun-shot wounds. On the second of 
March, a very heavy discharge of 
cannon and mortars commenced fi'om 
all the works at Cambridge and Rox- 
bury, which continued at intervals for 
two days. This, it seems, was merely 
a finesse to draw the enemy's atten- 
tion to a wrong quarter. On the 
fourth, the designs of Washington 
were made known to the army. 

"The object in view," says Dr. 
Thacher, "is now generally under- 
stood to be the occupying and fortify- 
ing of the advantageous heights of 
Dorchester. A detachment of our 
troops is ordered to march for this 
purpose this evening; and our regi- 
ment, with several others, has re- 
ceived orders to march at 4 o'clock 
in the morning, to I'elieve them. 
We are favored with a full briglit 
moon, and the night is remark- 
ably mild and pleasant; the pre- 
parations are immense; more than 
three hundred loaded carts are in 
motion. By the great exertions of 
General Mifflin, our Quartermaster- 
General, the requisite number of 
teams has been procured. The cover- 
ing party of eight hundred men ad- 
vance in front. Then follow the 
carts with theintrenchin'r tools: after 



APPENDIX. 



97 



which, the working party of twelve 
hundred, commanded by General 
Thomas, of Kingston. Next in the 
martial procession are a train of carts, 
loaded with fascines and hay, screwed 
into largo bundles of seven or eight 
hundred weight. The whole pro- 
cession moved on in solemn silence, 
and with perfect order and regularity; 
while the continued roar of cannon 
serves to engage the attention and 
divert the enemy from the main 
ol)ject. 

At about four o'clock our i-egiment 
followed to the heights of Dorchester 
as a relief party. On passing Dor- 
chester Neck I observed a vast num- 
ber of large bundles of screwed hay, 
arranged in a line next the enemy, to 
protect our troops from a raking fire, 
to which we should have been greatly 
exposed, while passing and repassing. 
The carts were still in motion with 
materials: some of them have made 
three or four trips. On the heights 
we found two forts iu considerable 
forwardness, and sufficient for a de- 
fence against small arms and grape 
shot. The amount of labor per- 
formed during the night, considering 
the earth is frozen eighteen inches 
deep, is almost incredible. The 
enemy having discovered our works 
in the morning, commenced a tre- 
mendous cannonade from the forts in 
Boston, and from their shipping in 
the harbor. Cannon shot are con- 
tinually rolling and rebounding over 
the hill: and it is astonishing to ob- 
serve how little our soldiers are ter- 
rified by them. — During the forenoon 
we were in mon)entary expectation of 
witnessing an awful scene; nothing 
less tha^i the carnage of Breed's Hill 
battle was expected. The royal 
troops are perceived to be in motion, 



as if embarking to pass the harbor, 
and land on Dorchester shore, to at- 
tack our works. The hills and ele- 
vations in this vicinity are covered 
with spectators to witness deeds of 
horror in the expected conflict. His 
Excellency General "Washington is 
present, animating and encouraging 
the soldiers, and they in their turn 
manifest their joy, and express a 
warm desire for the approach of the 
enemy; each man knows his place, 
and is resolute to execute his duty. 
Our breast-works are strengthened, 
and among the means of de- 
fence are a great number of 
barrels, filled with stones and 
sand, arranged in front of our 
works; which are to be put in motion 
and made to roll down the hill, to 
break the ranks and legs of the 
assailants as they advance. These 
are the preparations for blood and 
slaughter! Gracious God! if it be 
determined in- thy Providence that 
thousands of our fellow creatures 
shall this day be slain, let thy wrath 
be aopeased, and in mercy grant, that 
victory be on the side of our suffer 

ing, bleeding country. The anxious 

day has closed, and the enemy has 
failed to molest us. From appear- 
ances, however, there are strong rea- 
sons to suppose, that they have only 
postponed their meditated work till 
another day. It is presumed that the 
martial fire, which has b':'en enkindled 
in the breasts of our soldiery, will 
not be extinguished during the night, 
and that they will not rest quietly un- 
der their disappointment. Early in 
the morning of the 0th, our regiment 
was relieved from its tour of duty, 
and I bade adieu to Dorchester 
heights, without being called to dress 
a single wound. Not more than two 



98 



APPENDIX. 



or three men were killed or wounded 
during the twenty-four hours. — Some 
of the British troops were seen to 
embark, and pass down towards the 
castle last evening, to be in readiness, 
it was supposed, in conjunction with 
others, to attack our works this morn- 
ing; but a most violent storm came 
on in the night, and still continuing, 
obliges General Howe to abandon 
his enterprise; and thus has a kind 
Providence seen fit to frustrate a de- 
sign, which must have been attended 
with immense slaughter and blood- 
shed. General Howe must now be 
sensible of his exposed situation, and 
be convinced of the immediate ne- 
cessity of evacuating the town of 
Boston, if he would prevent the sacri- 
fice of his fleet and army." 



No. v.— Page 31. 

PATRIOTIC SACRIFICES. 

"From whatever cause it proceeded, 
it is certain, that a disposition to do, 
to suffer, and to accommodate, spread 
from breast to breast,and from colony 
to colony, beyond the reach of human 
calculation. It seemed as though 
one mind inspired the whole. The 
merchants put far behind them the 
gains of trade, and cheerfully sub- 
mitted to a total stoppage of business, 
in obedience to the recommendation 
of men, invested with no legislative 
powers. The cultivators of the soil, 
with great unanimity, assented to 
the determination, that the hard- 
earned produce of their farms should 
remain unshipped, although in case 
of a free exportation, many would 
have been eager to have purchased it 
from them, at advanced prices. The 
sons and daughters of ease renounced 
imported conveniences, and volun- 



tarily engaged to eat, drink, and 
wear, only such articles as their coun- 
try afforded. These sacrifices were 
made, not from the pressure of pres- 
ent distress, but on the generous 
principle of sympathy, with an in- 
vaded sister colony, and the prudent 
policy of guarding against a preced- 
ent which might, in a future day, 
operate against their liberties. 

The season of universal distress ex- 
hibited a striking proof how prac- 
ticable it is for mankind to sacrifice 
ease, pleasure, and interest, when the 
mind is strongly excited by its pas- 
sions. In the midst of the^ir suffer- 
ings, cheerfulness appeajred in the 
face of all the people. They counted 
every thing cheap in comparison 
with liberty, and readily gave up 
whatever tended to endanger it. A 
noble strain of generosity and mutual 
support was generally excited. A 
great and powerful diffusion of pub- 
lic spirit took place. The animation 
of the times raised the actors in these 
scenes above themselves, and excited 
them to deeds of self denial, which 
the interested.prudence of calmer sea- 
sons can scarcely credit." 



No. VI.— Page 38. 

EXECUTION OF CAPTAIN HALE. 

The particulars of this tragical 
event, sanctioned by General Hull, 
who was knowing to them at the 
time, are thus related by Miss H. 
Adams, in her History of New Eng- 
land. 

"The retreat of General Washing- 
ton left the British in complete pos 
session of Long Island. What would 
be their future operations, remained 
uncertain. To obtain information of 
their situation, their strength, and 



APPENDIX. 



99 



future movements, was of high im- 
portance. For this purpose, General 
Washington applied to Colonel 
Knowlton, who commanded a regi- 
ment of light infantry, which formed 
the van of the American army, and 
desired him to adopt some mode of 
gaining the necessary information. 
Colonel Knowlton communicated this 
request to Captain Hale, of Connecti- 
cut, who was then a Captain in his 
regiment. This young officer, ani- 
mated by a sense of duty, and con- 
sidering that an opportunity pre- 
sented itself by which he might be 
useful to his country, at once offered 
himself a volunteer for this hazard- 
ous service. He passed in disguise 
to Long Island, examined every part 
of the British army, and obtained the 
best possible information respecting 
their situation and future operations. 

In his attempt to return, he was 
apprehended, carried before Sir Wil- 
liam Howe, and the proof of his ob- 
ject was so clear, that he frankly ac- 
knowledged who he was. and what 
were his views. 

Sir William Howe at once gave an 
order to the provost marshall to exe- 
cute him the next morning. 

This order was accordingly exe- 
cuted in a most unfeeling manner, 
and by as great a savage as ever dis- 
graced humanity. A clei'gyman, 
whose attendance he desired, was re- 
fused him; a bible, for a moment's 
devotion, was not procured, though 
he requested it. Letters, which on 
the morning of his execution, he 
wrote to his mother, and other friends, 
were destroyed: and this very extra- 
ordinai'y reason given by the provost 
marshal, 'that the rebels should not 
know that they had a man in their 



army, who could die with so much 
firmness.' 

Unknown to all around him, with- 
out a single friend to offer him the 
least consolation, thus fell as amiable 
and as worthy a young man as Amer- 
ica could boast, with this as his dy 
ing observation, 'that he only 
lamented he had but one life to lose 
for his country.' How superior to 
the dying words of Andre. Though 
the manner of his execution will ever 
be abhorred by every friend to hu- 
manity and religion, yet there cannot 
be a question but that the sentence 
was conformable to the rules of war, 
and the practice of nations in similar 
cases. 

It is, however, a justice due to the 
character of Captain Hale, to observe, 
that his motives for engaging in this 
service were entirely different from 
those which generally influence others 
in similar circumstances. Neither 
expectation of promotion nor pecun- 
iary reward, induced him to this at- 
tempt. A sense of duty, a hope that 
he might in this way be useful to his 
country, and an opinion which he 
had adopted, that every kind of ser- 
vice necessary to the public good, be- 
came honorable by being necessary, 
were the great motives which in- 
duced him to engage in an enterprise, 
by which his connections lost a 
most amiable friend and his country 
one of its most promising supporters. 

The fate of this unfortunate young 
man excites the most interesting re- 
flections. 

To see such a character, in the 
flower of youth, cheerfully treading 
in the most hazardous paths, in- 
fluenced by the purest intentions, 
and only emulous to do good to his 
country, without the imputation of a 



100 



APPENDIX. 



crime, fall a victim to policy, must 
have been v^ounding to the feelings 
even of his enemies. 

Should a comparison be drawn be- 
tween Major Andre and Captain Hale, 
injustice would be done to the latter, 
should he not be placed on an equal 
ground with the former. Whilst 
almost every historian of the Ameri- 
can Kevolution, has celebrated the 
virtues and lamented the fate of 
Andre, Hale has roaained unnoticed, 
and it is scarcely known that such a 
character ever existed. 

To the memory of Andre, his coun- 
try has erected the most magnificent 
monuments, and bestowed on his 
family the highest honors and most 
liberal rewards. To the memory of 
Hale not a stone has been erected, 
nor an inscription to preserve his 
ashes from insult." 



No. VII. Page 74. 

BATTLE OF TRENTON. 

"Washington having obtained in- 
formation that the advanced party of 
the enemy, consisting of about fifteen 
hundred Hessians and British light 
horse, under command of Colonel 
Rahl, was stationed at the village of 
Trenton, concei'ted a plan for taking 
them by surprise. For this purpose, 
he made choice of Christmas night, 
under the idea that in consequence of 
the festivity, they might be less 
yigilajatly guarded. At this time the 
whole force under his immediate 
command did not exceed three thou- 
sand men. At the head of about 
two thousand four hundred men, one 
division being commanded by Gen- 
eral Greene, and the other by Gen. 
Sullivan, he crossed the river Dela- 
ware in boats, in the night of the 25th 



of December, daring a severe storm 
of snow and rain. The passage of 
the boats was rendered extremely 
diiScult and hazardous by the ice, 
and part of the troops and cannon 
actually failed in the attempt. Hav- 
ing landed on the Jersey shore, he 
had nine miles to march, and he 
reached the village about 7 o'clock in 
the morning with such promptitude 
and secrecy, so as to attack the enemy 
almost as soon as his approach was 
discovered. A smart tiring ensued, 
which continued but a few minutes, 
wlien the enemy, finding themselves 
surrounded, threw down their arms, 
and surrende^d as prisoners. Colonel 
Rahl, the commanding officer, Avas 
mortally wounded and several other 
officers were wounded and left at Tren- 
ton on their parole. About thirty -five 
soldiers were killed, sixty wounded, 
and nine hundred and forty-eight, 
including thirty officers, were taken 
prisoners, amounting in all to one 
thousand and foi'ty-eight. Of the 
continentals, not more than ten, it is 
supposed, were killed and wounded. 
General Washington i-e-crossed the 
Delaware the same day in triumph, 
bringing off si.x excellent brass can 
nou, about one thousand two hun- 
dred small arms, and three stand- 
ards, with a quantity of baggage, &c. 
This very brilliant achievement is 
highly honorable to the commander- 
in-chief, and to all that were engaged 
in the enterprise. We are sanguine 
in the hope that this most auspicious 
event will be productive of the 
happiest effects, by inspiring our de- 
jected army, and dispelling that 
panic of dispair into which the peo- 
ple have been plunged. Ceneral 
Washington allowed the Hessian 
prisoners to retain their baggage, and 



APPENDIX. 



101 



sent them into the interior of Pennsyl- 
vania, ordering- that they be treated 
with favor and humanity. This con- 
duct, so contrary to their expecta- 
tions, excited their gratitude and 
veneration for their amiable con- 
jueror, whom they styled, V/ very 
good rebfl.^ " — Thaclier. 



No. VIII.— Page 74. 

BATTLE OF PEINCKTON. 

"After his success at Trenton, Gen- 
eral Washington received consider- 
able reinforcements of troops from 
Virginia and Maryland, and some 
regiments of militia, which enabled 
him again to cross the Delaware into 
the Jerseys, and face the enemy. 
While at Trenton, Lord Cornwallis 
advanced to attack him, and a severe 
cannonade commenced. In the eve- 
ning, (iieueral Washington ordered a 
great number of fires to be lighted 
up, and, leaving a sufficient number 
of men to keep them burning during 
the night, to deceive the enemy, stole 
a march with his main army, taking 
a circuitous route, and, at 9 o'clock 
the next morning, attacked three 
regiments of the British, who were 
posted at Princeton, routed them, and 
drove them from their redoubts. By 
this masterly manoeuvre, the enemy 
lost about five hundred in killed, 
wounded, and prisoners. The loss on 
our side is very inconsiderable in 
point of numbers, but we have to 
lament the death of Brigadier-Gen- 
eral Mercer, a brave officer who com- 
manded the Virginia militia. The 
fact is published, that after General 
Mercer surrended himself, the enemy, 
deaf to the voice of humanity, stabbed 
him with their bayonets, and with the 
butt end of a musket battered and 



disfigured his face in a savage man- 
ner. It is to be remarked, that on 
this memorable occasion, Lord Corn- 
wallis was completely out-generaled ; 
while he was expecting to find the 
continental army at their lighted fires 
at Trenton, he was astonished and 
confounded to hear the firing occas- 
ioned by this same army, beating up" 
their quarters twelve miles in his 
rear. His lordship immediately re- 
paired by a forced march to Princeton, 
but arrived too late to retaliate on his 
vigilant antagonist, who had taken up 
his route to Morristown. Finding 
that the continentals were out of his 
reach, his lordship proceeded, with- 
out halting, to Brunswick. Strata- 
gems in war, when Avisely concerted, 
and Judiciously executed, are con- 
sidered as characterizing a military 
genius of superior order, and is a 
quality of inestimable value in every 
commander. It is often exultingly 
remarked in our camp, that Wash- 
ington was born for the salvation of 
his country, and that he is endowed 
with all the talents and abilities nec- 
essary to qualify him for the great 
undertaking. The militia of Jersey, 
immediately on their being liberated 
from the control of the British, fiew 
to arms, exasperated and stimulated 
by a recollection of their sufi'erings, 
and have become their most bitter 
and determined enemies; and are 
very active and vigilant in harassing 
them on all occasions, keeping a con- 
tinual watch, and cutting ott" small 
parties whenever opportunities otter. 
It is gratifying to the army, that 
Congress have conferred on their 
Generalissimo more ample powers, 
and appointed him Dictator for the 
liiin'ted term of six months; to reform 
and new model the military arrange- 



102 



APPENDIX. 



meats, in such manner as he may 
judge most advantageous for the 
public service. Much good is ex- 
pected to result from this measure." 
— Thacher's JournaL 



No. IX.— Page 79. 

CAPTURE OF PRESCOTT. 

"In the month of July, 1777, Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Barton, of the Rhode 
Island militia, planned a bold exploit 
for the purpose of surprising and 
taking Major-General Prescott, the 
commanding officer of the royal army 
at Newport. Taking with him, in the 
night, about forty men in two boats 
with oars muffled, he had th? address 
to elude the vigilance of the ships of 
war, and guard boats, and having ar- 
rived undiscovered at the quarters of 
General Prescott, they were taken 
for the sentinels, and the General 
was not alarmed till his captors were 
at the door of his lodging chamber, 
which was fast closed. A negro man, 
named Prince, instantly thrust his 
beetle head through the pannel door, 
and seized his victim while in bed. 
The General's aid-de-camp leaped 
from a window undressed, and at- 
tempted to escape, but was taken, and 
with the General brought off" in 
safety. In re-passing the water- 
guards. General Prescott said to 
Colonel Barton, "Sir, I did not think 
it possible you could escape the vigi- 
lance of the water-guards." — This is 
the second time that General Pres- 
cott has been a prisoner in our hands 
within two years. This adventure is 
extremely honourable to the enter- 
prising spirit of Colonel Barton, and 
is considered as ample retaliation for 
the *fcapture of General Lee by 
Colonel Harcourt. The event occas- 



ions great joy and exultation, as it 
puts in our possession an officer of 
equal rank with General Lee, by 
which means an exchange may be ob- 
; tained. Congress resolved that an 
elegant sword should be presented to 
Colonel Barton for his brave exploit. 
It has been ascertained that General 
Howe has relaxed in his rigid treat- 
ment of General Lee, and conducted 
towards him in a manner suitable to 
his rank. The Hessian officers, on 
whom retaliation had been inflicted, 
are also restored to their former con- 
dition as prisoners of war.-'- 71ta<iier''s 
Journal. 



No. X.— Page 79. 

SIEGE OF FORT STANWIX. 

"On the third of August, 1777, 
Colonel St. Leger, and Sir John 
Johnson, with a body of Britons, 
Canadians, tories, and Indians, in- 
vested Fort Stanwix. now Fort Schuy- 
ler, one hundred and ten miles from 
Albany. General Herkimer, with 
about eight hundred militia, was ad- 
vancing to disperse this motely col- 
lection, and to relieve the garrison; 
but unfortunately he fell into an am- 
buscade, and suffered a considerable 
loss. Being himself wounded in both 
legs, he was seen sitting on a stump, 
and courageously encouraging his 
j men, by which they maintained their 
' ground, and did great execution 
I among the enemy. Several of the 
i Indian chiefs were slain by the first 
I fire, which so lisheartened the re- 
j mainder, the t they were thrown into 
the gx'eatest confusion, and turning 
on the tories, and other white people, 
a warm contention ensued between 
them, and many of the whites w^ere 
killed. Colonel Gansevort, the com- 



APPENDIX. 



lOB 



raanJer of the fort, sent out Lieuten- 
ant Colonel Willet, with two hundred 
and fifty men, who bravely routed 
the Indians and tories, destroyed 
their provisions, and took their ket- 
tles, blankets, muskets, tomahawks, 
deer skins, &e., with tive colors, and 
returned to the fort. The brave Gen- 
eral Herkimer soon died of his 
wounds, and one hundred and sixty 
of his militia men, having fought 
like lions, were killed, besides a great 
number wounded. St. Leger's vic- 
tory over our militia was purchased 
at a dear price, more than seventy of 
his Indians were slain, and among 
them a large proportion of their most 
distinguished and favorite warriors, 
and the survivors were exceedingly 
dissatisfied. The object of the expe- 
dition was far from being accom- 
plished ; the commander did not, how- 
ever, despair of getting possession of 
the fort; for this purpose he sent in 
a flag, demanding a surrender. He 
greatly magnified his own strength, 
asserted that Burgoyne was at Al- 
bany; and threatened that, on re 
fusal, his Indians would destroy all 
the inhabitants in the vicinity; and so 
soon as they could enter the fort, 
every man would be sacrificed. 
Colonel Gansevort nobly replied in 
the negative, being determined to de- 
fend the fort at every hazard; aware, 
however, of his perilous situation, he 
found means of sending to General 
Schuyler at Stillwater for assistance. 
General Arnold was now despatched 
with a brigade of troops to attack the 
besiegers; but, finding their force 
greatly superior to his own, he sent 
back for a reinforcement of one thou- 
sand light troops. 

An object which cannot be accom- 
plished by force is often obtained by 



means of stratagem. Lieutenant- 
Colonel John Brooks, an intelligent 
officer from Massachusetts, being in 
advance with a small detachment, 
found one Major Butler, a noted 
officer among the Indians, endeavor- 
ing to influence the inhabitants in 
their favor, and he was immediately 
secured. A man also by the name of 
Cuyler, who was a proprietor of a 
handsome estate in the vicinity, wes 
taken up as a spy. Colonel Brooks 
proposed that he should be employed 
as a deceptive messenger to spread 
the alarm, and induce the enemy to 
retreat. General Arnold soon after 
arrived, and approved the scheme of 
General Brooks; it was accordingly 
agreed that Cuyler should be libera- 
ted, and his estate secured to him on 
the condition that he would return 
to the enemy, and make such ex- 
aggerated report of General Arnold's 
force, to alarm and put them to flight. 
Several fi'iendly Indians being pres- 
ent, one of their head men advised 
that Cuyler's coat should be shot 
through in two or three places, to add 
credibility to his story. Matters be- 
ing thus adjusted, the imposter pro- 
ceeded directly to the Indian camp, 
where he was well known, and in 
formed their warriors that Major 
Butler was taken, and that he himself 
narrowly escaped, several shot having 
passed through his coat, and that 
General Arnold with a vast force was 
advancing rapidly towards them. In 
aid of the project, a friendly Indian 
followed and arrived about an hour 
after, with a confirmation of Cuyler's 
report. This stratagem was success- 
ful; the Indians instantly determined 
to quit the ground, and make their 
escape, nor was it in the power of St. 
Leger and Sir John with all their art 



104 



APPENDIX. 



of persuasion, to orevent it. When 
St. Leger remonstrated with them, 
the reply of the chief was, "When we 
marched down, you told us there 
would be no fighting for us Indians, 
we might go down and smoke our 
pipes; but now a number of our 
warriors have been killed, and you 
mean to sacrifice its." The conse- 
quence was, that St. Leger, finding 
himself deserted by his Indians, to 
the number of seven or eight hun- 
dred, deemed his situation so hazard- 
ous, that he decamped in the greatest 
huny and confusion, leaving his 
tents, with most of his artillery and 
stores, in the field. General Arnold, 
with his detachment, was now at 
liberty to return to the main army at 
Stillwater; and thus have we clipped 
the right wing of General Bui'goyne. 
In the evening, while on their retreat, 
St. Leger and Sir John got into a 
warm altercation, criminating each 
other for the ill success of the expe- 
dition. Two Sachems observing this, 
resolved to have a laugh at their ex- 
pense. In their front was a bog of 
clay and mud; they directed a young 
warrior to loiter in the rear, and then, 
of a sudden, run as if alarmed, call- 
ing out they are coming, then are 
coming. On hearing this, the two 
commanders in a fright took to their 
heels, rushing into the bog, fre 
quently falling and sticking in the 
mud, and the men threw away their 
packs, and hurried off. This and 
other jokes, were several times re- 
peated during the night for many 
miles." — Tliarliers J<nu-H<il. 



No. XL— Page 79. 

BATTLE OF BENNINGTON. 

On the 16th of August, 1777, the 
Americans, under (General Stark, de- 



feated the British and Indians, under 
Lieutenant Colonels Baum and Brey- 
man, at Bennington, Vt. Stark 
divided his troops into three divisions, 
and ordered Colonel Nichols, with 
two hundred and fifty men, to gain 
the rear of the left wing of the enemy, 
who were secured by entrenchments. 
At the same time. Colonel Hendrick 
made a similar movement on the 
enemy's right wing, while Stark at- 
tacked them in front. The Indians, 
alarmed at the appearance of being 
surrounded, endeavored to make their 
escape in a single file between the 
two parties, with their horrid yells 
and the jingling of cow bells. The 
flanking parties approached each 
other in their rear, and General 
Stark making a bold and furious on- 
set in front, a general and close con- 
flict ensued, and continued with more 
or less severity for about two hours. 
Though Colonel Baum had nearly 
twice their niimbers, and was de- 
fended by breastworks, the force 
opposed to them proved irresistible, 
forcing their breastworks at the muz- 
zles of their guns, and obliging them 
to ground their arms and surrender 
at disf^xetion, so that the victory on 
our part " was complete. We took 
two pieces of brass cannon, and a 
number of prisoners, with baggage, 
&c. This was no sooner accomplished, 
than Colonel Breyman, with one 
thousand German troops, arrived 
with two field pieces, to reinforce 
Colonel Baum, who had just been 
defeated. General Stark's troops 
were now scattered, .some attending 
the wounded, some guarding the 
prisoners, and still more in j)ursuit 
of plunder; and all exhausted by ex- 
treme hunger and fatigue. At this 
critical moment, Colonel Warner's 



APPENDIX. 



105 



regiment arrived, and the other 
troops being rallied, the whole were 
ordered to advance. A Held piece 
had been taken from Banm in the 
forenoon, and Stark ordered it to be 
drawn to the scene of action; but his 
men, having never seen a cannon, 
knew not how to load it, the General 
dismounted, and taught them by 
loading it himself. An action soon 
commenced, and proved wnrm and 
desperate, in which both sides dis 
played the most daring bravery, till 
night approached, when the enemy 
yielded a second time in one day, to 
their Yankee conquerors. The Ger- 
man troops being totally routed, 
availed themselves of the darkness of 
night to effect their retreat. The 
whole number of killed, wounded, 
and prisoners, was nine hundred and 
thirty-four, including one hundred 
and rifty-seven tories; of this number, 
six hundred and fifty-four are pris 
oners. Colonel Baum received a 
mortal wound, of which he soon after 
died. Besides the above, one thou- 
sand stand of arms, four brass field 
pieces, two hundred and fifty dragoon 
swoi'ds, eight loads of baggage, and 
twenty horses, fell into our hands. 
The loss on our side, is not more than 
one hundred in the whole. The officers 
and men engaged in this splendid 
enterprise merit all the praise which a 
grateful country can bestow; they 
fought disciplined troops, completely 
accoutred, while they wielded their 
ordinary firelocks with scarce a 
bayonet, and at first without cannon. 
The consequences must be most aus- 
picious as respects our affairs in the 
northern department. Burgoyne 
must feel the clipping of another 
wing, and it must diminish his con- 
fidence in his successful career. The 



event will also be productive of the 
happiest effects on the spirits of our 
militia, by increasing their confidence 
in their own prowess. The following 
anecdote deserves to be noticed for 
honor of the person who is the sub- 
ject of it, though his name has not 
been ascertained. A venerable old 
man had five sons in the field of bat- 
tle near Bennington ; and being told 
that he had been unfortunate in one 
of his sons, replied, 'What, has he 
misbehaved, did he desert his post, 
or shrink from the charge?' 'No, sir,' 
says the informant, 'worse than that: 
he is among the slain; he fell con- 
tending mightily in the cause.' 'Then 
I am satisfied,' replied the old man: 
'bring him in, and lay him before me, 
that I may behold and survey the 
darling of my soul.' On which, the 
corpse was brought in, and laid be- 
fore him. He then called for a bowl 
of water and a napkin, and with his 
own hands washed the gore and dirt 
from his son's corpse, and wiped his 
gaping wounds, with a complacency, 
as he himself expressed it, which 
before he had never felt or experi- 
enced."- - Th acher's Jonrn a I. 



No. XII. -Page 79. 

BATTLE or STILLWATER, OR SARATOGA. 

The American army, under the com- 
mand of General Gates, in the vicin- 
ity of Stillwater, in the county of 
Saratoga, in the State of New 
York, attacked the enemy, under 
General Burgoyne, on the 19th of 
September, 1777. At about three 
o'clock, both armies being formed in 
a line of battle, the action became 
general, and the combatants on both 
sides evinced that ardour and gallan- 
try which shows a determination to 



lOfi 



APPENDJX. 



conquer or die. The firing for about ; 
three hours was incessant, with con- 
tinued tremendous roar and blaze, 
filling the field with carnage and 
death. Few battles have been more ! 
obstinate and unyielding — at one 
point the British are overpowei^ed ; I 
but, being reinforced, the Americans '• 
are baffled; these, being sujjported, : 
and renewing their efforts, regain 
their advantages; the same ground is 
occupied alternately, the dead and 
wounded of both parties are mingled 
together. The British resort re- 
peatedly to their bayonets without 
effect — the Americans resist and foil 
their attempts. Captain Jones, of 
the British artillery, had the com- 
mand of four pieces of cannon, which 
he conducted with great skill and 
valour till he fell, and thirty-six out 
of forty-eight of his artillery-men 
were killed or wounded; his cannon 
were repeatedly taken and re-taken, 
but finally remained with the enemy 
for the want of horses to bring them 
off. During the engagement, a num- 
ber of our soldiers placed themselves 
in the boughs of high trees, in the 
rear and flanks, and took every op- 
portunity of destroying the British 
officers by single shot: in one in- 
stance, General Burgoyne was the 
object, but the aid-de-camp of Gen- 
eral Phillips i-eceived the ball through 
, his arm, while delivering a message 
to Burgoyne: the mistake, it is said, 
was occasioned by having his saddle 
furnished with rich lace, and was 
supposed, by the marksman to be the 
British commander. In the dusk of 
evening the battle terminated, the 
British in one quarter silently re- 
treating, the Americans in another 
give way, and quit the long-contested 
battle field. Lieut. Colonel Brooks, 



with the eighth Massachusetts regi- 
ment, remained in the field till about 
eleven o'clock, and was the last who 
retired. Major Hull commanded a 
detachment of three hundred men, 
who fought with such signal ardour, 
that more than half of them were 
killed or wounded. The whole num- 
ber of Americans engaged in this 
action, was about two thousand five 
hundred; the remainder of the army, 
from its unfavorable situation, took 
little or no part in the action. The 
British have suffered a loss, as is 
supposed, of more than five hundred 
in killed, wounded, and prisoners. 
On the side of the Americans, sixty- 
four were killed, two hundred and 
seventeen wounded, and thirty-eight 
niissing. Among the killed, are 
Colonels Adams and Colbnrn, two 
valuable officers much regretted. The 
victory on this important occasion is 
claimed by the enemy, but the advan- 
tages are most decidedly on the side 
of the Americans: they were the as- 
sailants — they held their ground dur- 
ing the day — ana, at the close, re- 
tired to their encampment without 
being pursued. The royal army lay 
all the ensuing night on their arms 
at some distance from the field of 
battle." — Tliachcrs JoiimaL 



No. XIIL— Page 79. 

RED BANK AFFAIE. 

"The Americans had erected sev- 
eral forts and redoubts on the banks 
of the Delaware river, and on Mud 
Island, to guard against the passage 
of the British fleet up this river to 
Philadelphia. In one of these forts 
at Red Bank, Colonel Greene, of 
Rhode Island, was posted, with about 
four hundred men. General Howe, 
perceiving the great importance of 



APPENDIX. 



107 



reducing these works, detached Couut 
Donop, an officer held tn high esti- 
mation in the royal army, with 
twelve or fifteen hundred Hessian 
troops, well supplied with artillery, to 
take possession of it. Having ar- 
rived near the redoubts, he summoned 
the commander to surrender, to which 
he resolutely replied, he would de- 
fend the place to the last extremity. 
This fort being originally constructed 
on a large scale, it was found neces- 
sai'y to run a line across the middle, 
and divide it into two, so that the ex- 
ternal part was left without defence. 
Tiie Hessian commander ordered his 
troops to advance under cover of the 
smoke of his cannon, and storm the 
redoubt: they soon gained the unoc- 
cupied part with loud huzzas on their 
supposed victory; Imt on approach- 
ing the new line within, where our 
troops were stationed, the brave 
garrison poured oa them such hot 
and well directed tire for about forty 
minutes, that they were completely 
overpowered, and tied in every di- 
rection. -Colonel Donop, their com- 
mander, was mortally wounded and 
taken, and more than one huudi'ed 
were killed on the spot, and a greater 
number wounded and prisoners. The 
enemy retreated with great precipi- 
tation, leaving many of their wounded 
on the road, and returned to Phila- 
delphia with the loss of one-half their 
party. Colonel Greene, and his 
brave troops, acquired great honor 
for their gallant defence of the fort, 
which is a key to other posts on the 
river. Congress has rewarded the 
Colonel, with an elegant swoi'd. The 
British army found it difficult to pro- 
cure the necessary supplies in Phila- 
delphia, and the continental galleys 
and strong chevaux de fi'ize in the 



Delaware, rendered a passage of 
their ship up to the city almost im- 
possible. Admiral Lord Howe de- 
termined to attempt the removal of 
these formidable obstructions, and he 
ordered six of his ships to engage in 
this service. They were so unmei'ci- 
fully handled by our galleys, and 
from Fort Mifflin, at Mud Island, 
that two of them, one of sixty-four 
guns, run aground, and were set on 
tire by the crews who deserted them, 
and soon after they blew vip." — 
Tliacher's Journal. 

No. XIV.— Page 79. 

SURRENDER OF BURGOYNE. 

"After the battle of Stillwater, the 
situation of General Burgoyne be- 
came very precarious. His Indian 
auxiliaries deserted daily; and his 
army, reduced to little more than live 
thousand men, was limited to half 
their usual allowance of provisions. 
— His stock of forage was entirely 
exhausted, and his horses wei'e per 
ishing in great numbers. The Ameri- 
can army had become so augmented, 
as to render him diffident of making 
good his retreat. To aggravate his 
distress, no intelligence had yet been 
received of the appi'oach of General 
Clinton, or of any diversion in his 
favor from New York. 

In this exigency. General Burgoyne 
resolved to examine the possibility of 
dislodging the Americans from their 
posts on the left, by which means he 
would be enabled to retreat to the 
lakes. For this purpose he drew out 
fifteen hundred men, which he 
headed himself, attended by Generals 
Phillips, Reidesel, and Frazer. This 
detachment h^d scarcely formed, 
within less than half a mile of the 
American intrenchments, when a 



lOS 



APPENDIX, 



furious attack was made on its left; 
but Major Ackland, at the head of 
the British grenadiers, sustained it 
with gx'eat firmness. The Americans 
soon extended their attack along the 
whole front of the German troops, 
which were posted on the right of the 
grenadiers; and marched a body 
around their flank, to prevent their 
retreat. On this movement, the 
British light infantry, with a part of 
the twenty-fourth regiment, instantly 
formed, to cover the retreat of the 
troops into the camp. Their left 
wing, in the meantime, overpowered 
with numbers, was obliged to retreat, 
and would inevitably have been cut 
to pieces, but for the intervention of 
the same troops, which had just been 
covering the retreat on the right. 
The whole detachment was now under 
the necessity of retiring; but scarcely 
had the British troops entered the 
lines, when the Americans, led by 
General Arnold, pressed forward, 
and, under a tremendous tire of grape 
shot and musketry, assaulted the 
works throughout their whole extent 
from right to left. Toward the close 
of the day, a part of the left of the 
Americans forced the intrenchments, 
and Arnold with a few men actually 
entered the works; but his horse be- 
ing killed, and he himself badly 
wounded in the leg, they were forced 
out of them, and it being now nearly 
dark, they desisted from the attack. 
On the left of Arnold's detachment, 
Jackson's regiment of Massachusetts, 
then led by Lieutenant Colonel 
Brooks, was still jaore successful. It 
turned the right of the encampment, 
and carried by storm the works, oc- 
cupied by the German Reserve. Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Breyman was killed ; 
and Brooks maintained the jjrouud 



he had gained. Darkness put an end 
to the action. The advantage of the 
Americans was decisive. They killed 
a great number of the enemy; made 
upward of two hundred prisoners, 
among whom were several otticers of 
distinction; took nine jDieces of brass 
i artillery, and the encampment of a 
I German brigade, with all their equip- 
j age. Among the slain of the enemy 
was General Frazer, an officer of dis- 
j tinguished merit, whose loss was par- 
I ticularl> regretted. The loss of the 
\ Americans was inconsideraV)le. 
I Gates posted fourteen hundred 
j men on the heights opposite the ford 
I of Saratoga; two thousand in the 
rear, to prevent a retreat to Fort Ed- 
ward; and fifteen hundred at a f<ird 
higher up. Burgoyne, apprehensive 
of being hemmed in, retired immed 
lately to Saratoga. 

An attempt was made to retreat to 
Fort George. — Artificers was accord- 
ingly despatched, under a strong es- 
cort, to repair the bridges, and open 
the road to Fort Edward ; biit they 
were compelled to make a precipitate 
retreat. The situation of General 
Burgoyne becoming every hour more 
hazardous, he resolved to attempt a 
retreat by night to Fort Edward; but 
even this retrograde movement was 
rendered impracticable. While the 
army was preparing to march, intelli- 
gence was received, that the Ameri- 
cans had already possessed them- 
selves of Fort Edward, and that they 
were well provided with artillery. No 
avenue to escape now appeared. In- 
cessant toil had worn down the whole 
British army; which did not now 
contain more than three thousand 
five hundred fighting men. Provisions 
were almost exhausted, and there 
were no possible means of procuring 



APPENDIX. 



109 



a supply. The American army, which 
was daily increasing, was already 
much greater than the British in 
point of numbers, and almost en- ; 
circled them. In this extremity, the | 
British General called a council of 
war; and it was unanimously resolved : 
to enter into a convention with | 
General Gates. Preliminaries were : 
soon settled, and the royal army sur- \ 
rendered prisoners of war. i 

The capture of an entire army was i 
justly viewed as an event that must | 
essentially affect the contest between i 
Great Britain and America; and j 
while it excited the highest joy among 
the people, it could not bat have a 
most auspicious influence in the cabi- j 
net and in the lield. The thanks of : 
Congress was voted to General Gates 
and his army; and a medal of gold, | 
in commemoration of this splendid 
achievement, was ordered to be struck, I 
to be presented to him by the presi- 1 
dent, in the name of the United i 
States." — Holmes' American Annals. , 

No. XV.— Pagf 79. - I 

! 

BUANDYWINE AND GERMANTOWN. 

"General Washington having as-| 
certained that it was the great object ! 
of Sir William Howe to possess him- | 
self of the city of Philadelphia, put ' 
in requisition every effort in his j 
power to counteract his measures for j 
this purpose. His force during the I 
whole campaign was considerably in- i 
ferior to that of the enemy. Battles i 
and skirmishing of more or less impor- [ 
tauce were frequent, but not decisive, j 
though attended by no inconsiderable i 
loss of human lives. On the 11th of 
September, the two armies approach- 
ed each other m the order of battle, 
and a general action took place at 
Brandywine, in which the officers and 



soldiers of both armies displayed a 
spirit of intrepidity and heroism, 
scarcely ever exceeded. The British 
claim the victory; but it was only a 
partial one, and besides a prodigious 
sacrifice of lives, they failed in their 
main object, that of forcing their way 
to Philadelphia. It is stated that, 
from particular circumstances, little 
more than one-half of General Wash- 
ington's force was opposed to nearly 
the whole strength of the enemy. 
Our loss is mentioned in round num- 
bers at one thousand. The Marquis 
de la Fayette, and General Woodford 
were slightly wounded. The loss of 
the royalists, according to accounts 
published, greatly exceeds that of the 
Americans." — Thacher\^ Journal. 

No. XIV.-Page 79. 

BURNING OF DANBURY, CONN. 

"On the *2Gth of April, 1777, the 
notorious Tryon, at the head of 
two thousand tories and refugees, 
marched to Danbury, in the state of 
Connecticut, where they burnt eigh- 
teen houses with their contents, and 
a very valuable quantity of stores, 
provisions, and 1,790 tents. This 
wanton devastation alarmed the 
country, and the militia collected un 
der Major-General Wooster, assisted 
by Arnold and Silliman. A smart 
action soon ensued, and continued 
about one hour, in which our militia 
and a small number of continentals 
conducted with distinguished bravery, 
bat being overpowered by a supei'ior 
force, they were obliged to retreat. 
The amount of stores destroyed by 
the enemy was very considerable, but 
the loss of valuable officers and men 
is infinitely more important. Gen- 
eral Wooster was mortally wounded, 
and died soon after. Lieutenant- 



no 



APPENDIX. 



Colonel Gonld and four or five other 
officers were killed, and about sixty 
men were killed or wounded. Among 
the slain is Dr. Atwater, a respectable 
character, whose death is greatly 
lamented. General Arnold had his 
horse shot under him when within 
ten yards of the enemy, and a soldier 
was advancing with fixed bayonet 
towards him, when, with great pres- 
ence of mind, he drew his pistol from 
his holsters, and instantly shot him 
through the body. On the side of 
the royalists, the loss, as stated by 
General Howe, is one hundred and 
seventy-two in killed, wounded, and 
missing, but by other accounts it is 
much more considerable. Among 
the wounded is Brigadier-General 
Agnew, and two other field officers." 
— Thachcr's Journal. 

No. XVII.— Page 79. 

FORTS MONTGOMERY AND CLINTON. 

"On the 6th of October, 1777, the 
British, under Sir Henry Clinton and 
General Vaughan, succeeded in an 
assault on Forts Montgomery and 
Clinton, on the western bank of the 
Hudson, a few miles below West 
Point. These fortresses were defen- 
ded by Governor George Clinton, and 
his brother. General James Clinton, 
of New York, having about sis hun- 
dred militia men, a force greatly in- 
adequate to the defence of the works. 
The enemy came w\} the river, landed, 
and appeared unexpectedly, and de- 
manded a surrender of the forts, 
which being i-esolutely refused, were 
■ taken by assault, though not without 
a firm and brave resistance. General 
James Clinton received a bayonet 
wound in his thigh, but he and the 
Governor, with a part of the garrison, 
made their escape, leaving about two 



hundred and fifty men killed, wound- 
ed, and prisoners. The enemy suf- 
fered a severe loss of three field 
officers killed, and their dead and 
wounded is estimated at about three 
hundred. General Putnam, who com- 
manded at Peekskill in the vicinity, 
having a small force only to guard 
the deposit of stoi-es, was obliged to 
retire, and the barracks, stores, and 
provisions, to a very considerable 
amount, fell into the hands of the 
enemy, and were destroyed. With 
wanton cruelty they set fire to the 
houses and buildings of every des- 
cription, and spread ruin and devas- 
tation to the extent of their power. 
To consummate their destructive 
scheme. General Yaughan destroyed 
by conflagration, the beautiful town 
of Esopus, with the church, and 
every other building it contained. 
Thus we experience the horrid effects 
of malice and revenge; where they 
cannot con][uer, they wantonly ex- 
terminate and destroy. They are 
well appi'ised of the disastroias and 
desperate situation of their boastful 
General Burgoyne, and if they dare 
not march to his relief, they can cow- 
ardly retaliate by conflagration with 
impunity. It is the prevalent opinion 
here, that by taking advantage of 
wind and tide, it is in the power of 
Sir Henry Clinton to convey his 
forces to this city within the space of 
five or six hours, and having arrived 
here, a march of about twenty miles 
will carry him without opposition to 
Stillwater, which must involve Gen- 
eral Gates in inexpressible embarrass- 
ment and difficulty, by placing him 
between two armies, and thereby ex- 
tricating Burgoyne from his perilous 
situation. We have been trembling- 
ly alive to this menacing prospect, 



APPENDIX. 



Ill 



but our fears are in a measure allayed 
by the following singular incident. — 
After the capture of Fort Montgom- 
ery, Sir Henry Clinton despatched a 
messenger by the name of Daniel 
Taylor, to Burgoyne with the intelli- 
gence; fortunately he was taken on 
his way as a spy, and, finding himself 
in danger, he was seen to turn aside 
and take something from his pocket 
and swallow it. General George 
Clinton, into whose hands he had 
fallen, ordered a severe dose of emetic 
tartar to be administex'ed; this pro- 
duced the happiest effect as respects 
the prescriber; but it proved fatal to 
the patient. He discharged a small 
silver bullet, which being unscrewed, 
was found to enclose a letter from 
Sir Henry Clinton to Burgoyne. 
'Out of thine own mouth thou shalt 
be condemned.' The spy was tried, 
convicted, and executed. The follow 
ing is an exact copy of the letter en- 
closed: 

Fort Montgomery, Oct. 8th., 1777. 

Nous voici — and nothing between 
lis but (rates. I sincerely hope this 
little success of ours may facilitate 
your operations. In answer to your 
letter of the 28th of September, by C. 
C, I shall only say, I cannot presume 
to order, or even advise, for reasons 
obvious. I heartily wish you success. 
Faithfully yours, 

H. Clinton. 

To General Burgoyne.'''' — Thacher''s 
Journal. 

No. X VIII.— Page 86. 

CAPTURE OF MAJOR ANDRE. 

The treason of Arnold, and the 
consequent capture and execution of 
Major Andre, are events that have 
been widely circulated in all parts of 
the world: bui the following extracts 



from the "Life and Correspondence 
of General Greene," contain several 
additional facts, which cannot fail of 
being read with interest: 

"It was when Washington was on 
his march to Kiugsbridge, with a 
view to the attempt on New York, 
and when he had mustered every man 
who could carry a musket, that he 
placed Arnold in command of a corps 
of invalids at West Point. The com- 
mander-in-chief had offered him a 
command suitable to his rank and 
reputation in the army; but he made 
the unhealed state of his wounds, and 
some other causes, the pretext for de- 
clining it; for his negociations for 
the surrender of West Point had al- 
ready commenced, or been consum- 
mated; and he made interest to obtain 
that appointment. 

Greene was in command of the 
American army, at the time Arnold's 
treachery was detected. Soon after 
the relinquishment of the enterprise 
against New York, a meeting was 
concerted to take place between the 
American commander-in-chief, and 
th^ French military and naval com- 
manders. Hartford, on the Connecti- 
cut river, was the place assigned for 
their meeting, and its object was to 
consult on their future joint opera- 
tions. 

Upozi the depai'ture of Washing- 
ton, Greene was placed in command 
of the main army. This was on the 
17th of September. On the 18th, 
Admiral Rodney arrived with such an 
overwhelming reinforcement to the 
British navy, as must have set the 
consultations at Hartford all at 
nought. From that time. Greene's 
communications to the president of 
Congress are full of hui'ried prepara- 
tions going on at New York for some 



112 



APPENDIX. 



important enterprise. Little did he 
or any other suspect to what point 
that enterprise was directed. It ap- 
pears that he had established a 
regular communication for obtaining 
intelligence from the city by spies; 
and his correspondents in that place 
were at a loss whether the expedition 
was intended against Rhode Island 
or Virginia. To one or the other of 
those places the enemy had been care- 
ful to throw out hints, or exhibil ap- 
pearances that the expedition was di- 
rected. Yet Greene was not deceived; 
for in a letter of the 21st to General 
Washington, he writes, 'Colonel 
communicated the last in- 
telligence we have from New York; 
since that I have not been able to ob- 
tain the least information of what is 
going on there, though we have peo- 
ple in from three ditlt'erent quarters. 
None of them returning, makes me 
suspect some secret expedition is in 
contemplation, the success of which 
depends altogether on its being kept 
a secret.' 

This letter is dated at Tappan, for 
to that place he had been directed by 
General Washington, on his depar- 
ture for Hartford, to remove a divis- 
ion of the army. 

On the 23d, the whole mystery was 
developed by the capture of Major 
Andre. He had ascended the river 
in the Vulture sloop-of-war, to hold a 
personal conference with General 
Arnold The British commander had 
become sensible that no time was to 
be lost; as most probably, on the re- 
turn of Washington from Hartford, 
he would assume the command in 
person at West Point, or coniide it to 
Greene. The present, therefore, was 
the most favorable time that would 
ever present itself: the recent move- 



ment of the army nearer that place 
excited to despatch ; and the arrival 
of Rodney gave the enemy the com- 
mand of such abundant means of 
water transoortation, without expos- 
ing the city to a coup de main from 
the French and American forces, that 
the British commander would have 
been culpably negligent, not to have 
embraced it. Andre was accordingly 
despatched to make the final arrange- 
ments for consumm,ating the treach- 
ery of Arnold. 

The well known object of Arnold's 
negociation was to put Clinton in 
possession of the post at West Point 
This is a beautiful little jjlain, lying 
on the west bank of the Hudson, a 
little below where it breaks through 
the chain of mountains called the 
Highlands. Its form is nearly cir- 
cular; in one half of its circumference 
defended by a precipice of a great 
height, rising abruptly from the river; 
and on the other, by a chain of rug- 
ged, impassable mountains. It is ac- 
cessible by one pass only from the 
river, and that is narrow and easily 
defended; while, on the land side, it 
can be approached only at two points, 
by roads that wind through the 
mountains, and enter it at the river 
bank, on the north and south. 

Great importance had always been 
attached to this post by the Ameri- 
cans, and great labor and expense 
bestowecl upon fortifying it: whether 
judiciously or to good eifect, has 
never been tested. But the place is 
naturally, scarcely assailable, very 
healthy, and commands the river, 
thi-ovighout a long circuit that it 
stretches round the point, and where 
it is deep and very nai'row. 

The North river had long been the 
great vein that supplied life to the 



APPENDIX. 



113 



American army; and had the enemy 
obtained possession of this post, be- 
sides the actual loss in men and 
stores, the American army would 
have been cut off from their principal • 
resources in the ensuing winter, or j 
been obliged to fall back above the | 
Highlands, and leave all the country ' 
below open to conquest: while the' 
communication between the eastern 
and western states vvould have been j 
seriously interrupted, if not wholly ! 
excluded. 

Arnohl well knew the bearing of \ 
tliis post upon all the operations of : 
the American army, and afterwards | 
avowed his confident expectation, 
that had the enemy got possession of 
it. the contest must have ceased, and 
Amnricans been subdued. Clinton, 
it ai)pears. also well understood the 
vubie of this place; and it is prob- 
able, that the purchase of it had been 
arranged with Arnold some months 
prior to the detection of the plot.^ 
It was well remembered afterwards, 
that he had been intrigued for some 
time to gttt appointed to the com- 
m;in 1, not only in person, but through 
tlie agency of his friends in Congress 
an;l the army, and the activity which 
he displayed iu making his escape, 
and afterwards, as a commander un- 
der Clinton, support the oelief that 
the pain and weakness from his 
wounded legs, on which he founded 
his claims to a command suited to an 
invalid, were in a great degree 
affected. Indeed, in one of his pub- 
lications he acknowledges, that he 
had long retaineri his commission 
only to find some opportunity to in- 
fiict such a blow. 

The development of Arnold's plot 
was communicated to Greene by a 
letter from Colonel Hamilton, dated 



Verplanck's Point. It was received 
the evening of the 25th. The object 
of the preparations in New York im- 
mediately became palpable: and, with- 
out delay, he made every disposition 
for marching to the defence of West 
Point; so that when General Wash- 
ington's order reached him, at a quar- 
ter past three, on the morning of the 
26th, the whole army had already 
been ^put under marching orders. 
The first Pennsylvania brigade under 
Wayne had been put in motion; so 
that it actually fell to the lot of 
Andre to find the 'warrior-drover 
Wayne' in command, when he was 
delivered a prisoner at the village of 
Tappan. — But Wayne did not sit in 
the boai'd of officers who tried him; 
perhaps from consideration of deli- 
cacy; there may have remained some- 
thing of personal irritation; the 
wounds of the pen last longer than 
those of the sword. 

It is very well known that Major 
Andre was taken near a place called 
Tarry Town, on the east side of the 
Hudson, where it forms Haverstraw 
Bay. Tea years afterwards, the 
large sycamore near which he was 
taken, was shown to the traveller; 
and the incidents at his capture were 
familiarly known to, and related by, 
every inhabitant of the village. — 
Paulding, Williams, and Van Wart, 
i who captured him, were poor, but 
! reputable men, and exhibited a strik 
' ing instance of disinterestedness and 
' fidelity. Andre offered them large 
bribes, but they were not to be cor- 
rupted, and conducted him a prisoner 
to Colonel Jamieson, who commanded 
' a scouting i)arty on that side of the 
river. 

I The circumstances attending the 
capture of Andre are differently re- 



114 



APPENDIX. 



lated by the different authors who 
have written on the American war. 
They are all correct as far as they 
go; but beiog deficient in a few par- 
ticulars, excited surprise at the sup- 
posed want of self-possession in so 
brave a man as Andre. The British 
army in New York was, at that 
time, supplied with beef, principally 
through the aid of a class of men, 
who obtained the appellation of cow- 
boys. They were a species of settlers, 
or dealers in live stock, who being 
well acquainted with the roads and i 
passes, penetrated into the country, 
and either stole or purchased cattle, j 
which they secretly drove into the i 
enemy's lines. Besides watching the ! 
movements of the enemy, one princi- 
pal object for detaching Jamiesou to 
that quarter was, to check the prose- 
cution of this trade or practice. For 
this purpose, small scouting parties 
were occasionally pushed beyond the 
American posts, to reconnoitre the 
interjacent country between their 
posts and those of the enemy. And 
as the cattle taken from the cowboys, 
unless stolen, were held to be prize 
of war; and it was an object with the 
well-affected to suppress a practice 
which exposed their stock to depre 
dations, small volunteer parties oc- 
casionally waylaid the roads for that 
purpose. Of this description were 
the captors of Andre; who, after the 
fatigue of pi'osecuting their enter- 
prise, had seated themselves under 
this tree, in a situation i-etired from 
the view of travellers approaching 
along the road. It is said that they 
were engaged in a game at cards, 
when the tread of Andre's horse at- 
tracted their notice. 

The station they had taken was in 
view of a point where several roads 



unite near the village, and Andre, 
who was visible to the party before 
they were visible to him, was engaged 
in examining a sketch of the route, 
no doubt to determine which of the 
roads in his view he ought to follow. 
At the first rustling of the leaves 
made by the motion of the party in 
ambush, he precipitately thrust the 
paper he was examining into his 
boot, on the opposite side of his 
horse from that on which the party 
appeared. This was noticed by one 
of the party, and led to the examina- 
tion which produced the detection. 
On being stopped, he resumed his 
composure, and exhibited the pass 
from Arnold, on which he had thus 
far succeeded in clearing the Ameri- 
can posts and patrols; and the party 
had already released his bridle, when 
one of them inquired what he had 
done with the paper he was reading! 
An indistinct view of the dangerous 
dilemma in which the question in- 
volved him, produced in An3re a 
momentary hesitation; his embarrass- 
ment was noticed by the party, and 
made them resolve again to detain 
him. Knowing that the pass from 
Arnold would not avail him after the 
discovery of the contents of his boot, 
Andre then desired them to tell him 
truly, whether they were 'from above 
or below?' and on their answering 
'tlie latter.' which was consistent with 
the truth in fact, though not in the 
sense he meant it, which was, whether 
they were whigs or tories; he ac- 
knowledged himself to be a British 
officer on urgent business, and begged 
them not to detain him. On their 
persisting to detain him, the whole 
extent of danger burst upon him, and 
he liberally tried the persuasive \[oice 
of gold. But though he had just 



APPENDIX. 



IL 



witnessed, that oue in a much more 
elevated rank had lent a propitious 
ear to similar arguments, he found 
these honest yeomen not to bn cor- 
rupted. Until then, he had learned, 
that it is at last in the integrity of 
the well-informed yeomani'y of a 
country that the strength and secur- 
ity of every free government is to 
be found. Wo to that government 
which ever suffers this class of men 
to remain in ignoi'ance, or to be ex- 
posed to corruption ! 

Upon searching the boot into which 
the paper had been thrust, a plan of 
^Vest Point, the strength and dis- 
position of the garrison, and other 
suspicious papers were discovered; 
and Andre wus immediately conveyed 
to the headquarters of Colonel Jamie- 
son. By this time, it appears, that 
Andre had completely recovered his 
self possessi<Mi, if indeed, he had ever 
lost it: and he had the ingenuity to 
play otf on Jamieson a ruse de guerre, 
to which the partiality of his friends, 
and the feelings of his admirers, have 
managed to give a character which 
it by no means merits. 

He prevailed on Jamieson to des- 
patch a note to Arnold, informing 
him that John Anderson (this was 
Andre's assumed name) was taken. 
This has been construed into a mag 
nanimous effort to save Arnold; 
whereas it was obviously an ingenious 
artifice to save himself. And it must 
have succeeded, had not the former, 
instead of taking the hint as it was 
intended, verified by his conduct the 
trite adage, 'there is no faith among 
the dishonest,' by immediately trans- 
ferring all his attention to his own 
escape. Arnold could easily have 
despatched an order to Jamieson to 
release Andre, or have adopted some 



fiction or plan for getting him into 
i his own hands, for the pui'pose of 
i giving him his liberty, and thus have 
escaped with him. Jamieson ob- 
viously entertained no suspicion of 
Arnold, by sending him this message: 
and by the time that elapsed before 
: he forwarded to General Washing- 
i ton the papers found upon Andre, it 
is clear that he waited for some com- 
; munication from Arnold with regard 
: to the future fate of John Anderson. 
It is curious to contemplate the 
good fortune of this interesting young 
' man. in the favorable views which 
1 writers of both nations, indeed all who 
have ever noticed him, have taken of 
his conduct. But such is the eftect 
\ of excited feeling upon the judgment 
of mankind, or perhaps, such the 
I proclivity of man to follow a popular 
! leader, and to avoid the perplexity of 
reflection. The breathing pen of 
Colonel Hamilton was generously em- 
' ployed in describing the magnanimity 
with which Andre met death; the di- 
rection once given to public opinion 
has been followed, 'nothing loth,' 
and every subsequent writer has vied 
with his predecessor in representing 
Andre's conduct in the most favorable 
colors. The stern moralist, who, 
knowing the tirst to pity, then to 
imitate, is too often the course 
through which vice and error steal on 
society, presumes, in such a case as 
this, to exclaim, 'pause and reflect;' 
will be more apt to incur the frowns, 
than the plaudits of his contem- 
poraries. But thei-e is a time of life 
when a writer may no longer feel the 
undue influence of popular applause. 
Andre has also been gi-eatly ex- 
tolled for his magnanimity in com- 
municating to General Washington 
his real name and character, by the 



116 



APPENDIX. 



express which conveyed to the com- 
mander-in-chief the papers found 
upon him. But what else remained 
for him to do? His life was clearly 
forfeited ; and in the cliaracter of 
John Anderson, he must have suffered, 
'unpitied and unwept, the summary 
and ignominious death of a spy, or 
been detected as Major Andre, with a 
falsehood on his lips. His only 
chance of escape was to declare his 
real character, and place himself un- 
der the protection of the circumstan- 
ces under which he alleges that he 
came within the American posts; or 
perhaps, to interest the feelings or 
the fears of the American commander 
in his behalf. His letter contains one 
passage which serves as a plain de- 
velopment of his motives in writing 
it. — It uas to save his oioi Jiff hij e.r- 
citing fear for that of others. The 
passage alluded to is the following: 
'I take the liberty to mention the 
condition of some gentlemen at 
Charleston, who. being either on 
parcla or under protection, irere pii- 
gaged in a (■o)i^ph'acii against us : 
though their situation is not similar, 
they are objects who may be sent in 
exchange for me, or persons whom 
the treatment I receive might effect.' 
It is truly astonishing, that the un- 
generous character of this paragraph 
has never been properly animadvei'ted 
upon. Who these 'gentlemen at 
Charleston' were, is afterwards more 
explicitly declared, in Arnold's letter 
to General Washington, of the 1st of 
October: 'I have farther to observe, 
that forty of the principal inhabitants 
of South Carolina have justly for- 
feited their lives, which have hitherto 
been spared by the clemency of his 
excellency Sir Henry Clinton, who 
cannot in justice extend his mercy to 



them any longer, if Major Andre 
suffers, which, in all probability, will 
open a" scene of blood at which hu- 
manity will revolt.' 

Thus it appears that Andre's hint 
was greedily caught at by Arnold; 
and Sir Henry Clinton himself, in 
his communications, verj' plainly 
hints the same thing. 

Yet nothing could have been more 
base and dishonorable than the at 
tempt to save his forfeited life, by 
drawing down ruin upon a number of 
innocent men, who, after bravely re- 
sisting the enemy, had surrended on 
terms that had been most dishonor- 
ably evaded. The assertion also con- 
tained in Andre's letter, that the 
prisoners alluded to had engaged in 
a conspiracy, was absolutely destitute 
of truth; as it was well known, that 
every individual of those prisoners 
had, from the first, courted and de- 
fied investigation; and there existed 
no cause for their continement at St. 
Augustine, to which place they had 
been removed, but the prevalence of 
an opinion that their influence kept 
others from accepting of the King's 
protection, the illiberal suggestions of 
some of the loyalists who could not 
bear the reproachful looks of those 
whom they had deserted, an(i above 
all, the convenience of retaining such 
respectable hostages to cover such 
men as Arnold and Andre. 

The introductory paragraph also to 
Andz'e's letter cannot be dismissed 
without a remark. It is in these 
words. 

'What I have as yet said concern- 
ing myself, was in the justifiable at- 
tempt to be extricated. I am too 
little accustomed to duplicity to have 
succeeded.' [That is to say, I have 
hitherto been doing what no man 



APPENDIX. 



117 



who sufficiently values the obligatiou 
of trntli would do, or at least, expose 
himself to the danger of being 
obliged to do, even for 'the justifiable 
attempt to be extricated,'] I have 
hitherto dealt out nothing but false- 
hoods; but for want of practice, my 
firmness fails me.' 

In the first place, this paragraph 
is uncandid; for if his disguise could 
any longer have availed him, he 
would have retained it; in the next 
place, there is no small cause to be- 
lieve that this was not the first time 
in which Major Andre had played off 
the practical falsehood of assuming a 
disguise, and acting the spy. 

It is believed by many, that in the 
character of a spy, he had been 
greatly instrumental in involving in 
captivity, the very men whom he now 
wished to involve in the horrors of 
retaliation. 

Let political expediency disguise it 
as it may, still the character of a 
soldier cannot be blended with that 
of a spy, without soiling the pure 
(^ruiine of the former. And. however, 
his sovereign may applaud and re- 
ward the officer who tempts his enemy 
to treachery, there is something so 
f(jul in the constitution of the crime, 
that we cannot look upon him who 
seduces another to the commission of 
it, but as the instigator or propagator 
of crime. The breath of treachery 
gives a taint to the reputation of the 
man who but holds converse with it. 

Indeed, there appears to have been 
a combined attack upon morals made 
by all the partirepes criniiiiis in ttiis 
black transaction. One can hardly 
read with patience the letters of 
CMinton, Robertson, and Arnold, 
boldly insisting that Andre was not 
punishable as a spy, because he came 



within the garrison under the 
sanction of a tiag, or under the pro- 
tection of the commander; although 
in fact, with that commander he was 
concerting measures to get possession 
of the post where that officer com- 
manded; that he was himself inno- 
cent, because he prostituted the iisual 
protection of innocent and honorable 
purposes to the perpetration of the 
basest treachery. And to complete 
the ridicule of the scents, the chief 
justice of the state is brought upon 
the carpet to support this holy doc- 
trine. 

This was at a conference which was 
held by appointment at King's Ferry, 
between General Robertson and Gen- 
eral Greene, on the subject of Andre's 
treatment. Robertson brought with 
him from New York, Chief Justice 
Smith, and the Lieutenant Governor 
to support him in the argument; but 
whether it was that the man of the 
i sword was afraid to encounter the 
{ man of the gown in argument, Greene 
I would not sufi'er Smith to land, and 
i the conference resulted in nothing 
i but mutual confirmation in pre-exist- 
i ing opinions. On the 2d of October, 
: Andre was executed as a spy on a 
gibbet, at the village of Tappan, 
where the principal part of the army 
was then encamped. 
! As his case was one of umny novel 
features, and threats of retaliation 
had loudly resounded, General Wash- 
ington did not order his execution 
summarily, as by the laws of war he 
would have been justified to do, but 
commanded a board of general officers 
to be convened, and submitted the 
oase to their consideiation. 

Greene was appointed to preside, 
and Colonel John Laurens was pres- 
ent iu the capacity of judge advocate 



118 



APPENDIX. 



general, which station he held in the l one constituted more worthy to be 
army. LaFayette and Steuben were respected. There was in it six Major 
members of the court; and, if dignity, Generals and eight Brigadiers. They 
worth, and service can give weight to were unanimously of opinion, that 
the decision of the court, never was Andre must suifer as a spy." 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX 



The 01(1 Senate House, at Kiiiftston, iV. Y. 




[Kroin the Fislikill Times. July ir>, 1885. J i 

The cut at the head of this article [ 
is a fair representation of the old '. 
stone house, at Kingston, known as 
the old Senate House. This is one of 
the oldest buildings in this State, 
having been erected by Col. Wessel 
Ten Broeck, in the year 1676, and is 
consequently considerable over 200 
years old. It is 70 feet long, and 
built of stone with walls about two 
feet in thickness. The heavy oak 
timbers put in when it was first 
erected are sound, and apparently 
good for several centuries to come. 
The Fourth Provisional Congress as- 
sembled at White Plains July 9th, 
1776, and immediately adopted the 
Declaration of Independence. The 
next day the body changed its ap- 
pellation to the "Convention of the 
Representatives of the State of New 



York." On the 29th of August follow- 
ing, it adjourned to Fishkill, and 
from here it moved to Kingston. A 
committee, of which John Jay was 
chairman, was appointed to draft a 
constitution for the State. Their 
work was completed and the new con 
stitution was adopted on the 20th of 
April, 1777. The committee met in 
this house, and under its venerable 
roof this important document was 
drafted. The first election under 
this constitution was held July 30th, 
1777. George Clinton was elected 
Governor and installed in presence of 
the military and citizens assembled 
at Kingston. After the organization 
of the Stale Government the Senate 
held its sessions in this house until 
the British forces, under command of 
General Vaughan, sacked and burned 
the village of Kingston in October 



12(1 



ADDITIONAL APPP'.NDiX, 



following. Part of the roof of this 
house was burned at that time and 
restored soon after. Geu. Armatrong, 
the boy hero of the Revolution, after- 
wards Secretary of War. lived in this 
house in 1804, previous to his depar- 
ture as Minister to the French Court. 
A marble tireplace, erected by him, 
still adorns one of the rooms. This 
house has for many years been the 
property of Frederick E. Westbrook, 
Esq., son of Rev. Cornelius D. West- 
brook, D. D., who was for many years 
pastor of the Reformed Dutch church 
in this village. Dr. Westbrook's last 
years were spent in this house, where 
he died in March, 1858. Dr. West- 
brook's father. Gen. Frederick West- 
brook, was an officer of the Revolu- 
tion, and a Brigadier- General in the 
war of 1812. He died in this village 
in 1823, and was buried in the old 
burying ground near the entrance to 
the chapel. 



[From the Fishkill Times, July 1. isa'i. 1 

A Revolutionarv Heroine. 

In the year 177G there resided at 
White Plains, Westchester county, 
N. Y.. a family consisting of the Rev. 
Samuel Mills, his second wife, who 
was a sister of General Humphrey, 
and several children by his first wife, 
the oldest being a daughter, then 
some ten or twelve years of age. The 
father was an ardent patriot, or as 
the British and their Tory allies would 
have termed him, a bitter rebel. 
When after the battle of Long Island, 
the British landed at Throgg's Neck, 
and commenced their advance into 
the country, Mr. Mills considered it 
prudent for hifn to leave his home 
and seek safer quarters farther in the 
interior. Being left alone with the 



children, Mrs. Mills busied herself 
dviring the few hours allowed her be- 
fore the arrival of the enemy, in pro- 
viding for the safety of the children 
and the pi'operty left in her charge. 
First she took the little ones into the 
woods and lodged them in the cabin 
of some friendly Indians. She then 
returned to her home, and after 
throwing her spoons into the well, 
carried off and hid all the portable 
j)ropei*ty she could before the invad- 
ers came and fired the house. Power- 
less to prevent, she witnessed the des- 
truction of her home and all its 
contents which she had not been able 
alone to remove. Remaining near 
the spot all night, in the gray dawn 
of the morning she discovered a soldier 
who had straggled from his command 
asleej) by the side of a fence Stealth- 
ily approaching, she secured his mus- 
ket, and compelling him to surrender, 
mai'ched him at the point of the 
bayonet to the American camp and 
delivered him np as a prisoner of 
war. The little twelve-year-old gii-1, 
who on that eventful day was taken 
by her step-mother to that Indian 
wigwam, in after years was the 
mother of the late Samuel M. Stevens. 
Mr. Stevens, for many years re- 
sided near this village, and his 
widow and two sons, William and 
George, and daughter Sarah, now re- 
side in this place. Mrs. Stevens 
still has in good preservation, the 
curtains which Mrs. Mills that day 
I stripped down from her spare-room 
i bed before the red coats applied their 
torch to her dwelling. The spoons, 
I which were afterwards recovered 
from the well, were some years ago 
sold for old silver. 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX, 



121 




THE OLD COLONEL BRINCKERHOFF MANSION. 



122 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



[From the Fislikill Times, July 8, 1885.] 

The Old Col. Briiickerhoff Mansion. 

The old Col. Brinckerhoff house, a 
fine illustration of which appears in 
this number of the Times, remains 
substantially the same as when first 
erected nearly a hundred and fifty 
years a^fo. It is constructed of stone, 
except the gables, which are of brick 
imported from Holland. In the west- 
ern gable appears the date of its 
erection, 1738, in colored brick, as 
can be plainly seen in the cut. This 
house stands a short distance soxith of 
the road which runs from the village 
of Fisfikill to Hopewell, near the 
little hamlet called Swartwoutville. 
During the Revolutionary war it was 
frequently occupied by General 
Washington. His letter to Gen. Lin- 
coln announcing the appointment of 
the latter by Congress to the com- 
mand of troops for the defence of 
Charleston, dated "Headquarters, 
Fishkill, Oct. 3d, 1778," and numer- 
ous other letters and orders were 
written at this bouse. He occupied 
the bedroom back of the parlor, which 
remains the same as it then was,except 
that a door has since been cut through 
communicating with the hall. 

The Colonel was a devout member 
of the old Dutch church, at Fishkill. 
When Washington first became a 
member of his family he is said to 
have stated "I am commander-in- 
chief in my own house, and wish 
everybody under my roof to attend 
family prayers." Of course W^ash- 
ington complied. Col. Brinckerhoff 
died in 1785, at the age of 82 years, 
and was bnried near the entrance of 
the old burying ground at Fishkill. 
His grave stone is still standing, and 
as "sound and legible as when first 
erected a hundred years ago. 



Col. Brinckerhoff, by his will dated 
Dec. 29th, 1784, gave the farm on 
which he lived, including this house, 
to his grandson, John Brinckerhoff' 
Van Wyck, from whom it descended 
to his son. Alfred Van Wyck, who 
held it for many years. Mr. Van 
Wyck sold it aboiit 30 years ago and 
moved to Illinois, where he still re- 
sides. It is at present owned and oc- 
cupied by Mr. Myers Brownell. 



Washington's Headquarters. 

BY E. M. RUTTENBER. 

The building now so generally 
known as Washington's Head -quar- 
ters at Newburgh, is situated in the 
south-east part of the city. It is con- 
structed of rough stone; is one story 
high, fifty-six feet front by forty-six 
feet in depth, and is located on what 
was originally Lot No. 2, of the Ger- 
man Patent. The title of the lot was 
vested, by the Patent referred to, in 
Herman Schoneman, a native of the 
Palatinate of German^', who sold, in 
1721, to James Alexander, who subsi - 
quently sold to Alexander Colden and 
Burger Meynders, by whom it was 
conveyed to Jonathan Hasbrouck. 
The north-east corner of the build 
ing, more particularly shown by the 
walls and the timbers of the roof re- 
maining in the attic, is the oldest 
portion; it was erected by Hasbrouck 
in 1750. The south-east corner was 
added by him for a kitchen, and in 
1770 he erected the west half and 
embraced the whole under one roof. 

Jonathan Hasbrouck, from whom 
the building takes the name of 'The 
Hasbrouck House," was the grand- 
son of Abraham Hasbrouck, one of 
the Huguenot founders of New Paltz. 
He was a man of marked character; 
•of fine physique, being six feet and 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



123 



four inches in height; was colonel of 
the railitia of the district, and was 
in frequent service in guarding the 
passes of the Highlands. His occu- 
pation was that of a farmer, a miller, 
and a merchant. He died in 1780. 
In the spring of 17S2, Washington 



Congress, of distress throughout the 
country, and of complaint and dis- 
content in the army, the latter at one 
time bordering on revolt among the 
officers and soldiers. 

It was at this place, on the 22d day 
of May. 1782, that Col. Nicola pro- 




made this building his Head quarters, 
and remained here until August 18th. 
1783, on the morning of which day he 
took his departure from Newburgh. 
At this place he passed through the 
most trying period of the Revolution: 
the year of inactivity on the part of 



posed, l)y letter to Washington, that 
he should become King, for the '"na- 
tional advantage," a proposal that 
was* received by Washington with 
"surprise and astonishment,"' "viewed 
with abhorrence," and "reprehended 
with severity."' The proposition il- 



124 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



self was of little significance, and of 
no general importance whatever. It 
has, however, been so colored up by 
the fervent imagination of some wri- 
ters, that a passing reference to it 
seems proper.* 

The inattention of Congress to the 
payment of the army, during the suc- 
ceeding winter, gave rise to a more 
important episode in the history of 
the war. On the 10th of March, 1783, 
the first of the famous "Newburgh 
Lettei's" was issued, in which, by im- 
plication at least, the army was ad- 
vised to revolt. The letter was fol- 
lowed by an anonymous manuscript 
notice for a public meeting of officers 
on the succeeding Tuesday. Wash- 
ington was equal to the emergency. 
He expressed his disapprobation of 
the whole proceeding, and with great 
wisdom, requested the field officers, 
with one commissioned officer from 
each company, to meet on the Satur- 
day preceding the time appointed by 
the anonymous note. He attended 
this meeting and delivered before it 
one of the most touching and etfective 
addresses on record. When he closed 
his remarks, the officers unanimously 
resolved "to reject with disdain" the 
infamous proposition contained in the 
anonymous address. 

The meeting of officers referred to 
was held at the New Building, or 
"Temple" as it was called in the New 
Windsor encampment, but Washing- 
ton's address was written at his Head- 
quarters, in Newburgh. The "New- 
burgh Letters," to which it was a 



*Tlie slander should never be repeated that 
Nicola represented the army. He was not its 
representative in any sense, but spoke for him- 
self alone. There is no evideivce that lie even 
consulted with any one, nor was it ever elainied 
that he did. He held no important rank in the 
army, but was simply Colonel.of the Invalid Con- 
tinental Regiment at Philadelphia. He had no 
service in the tiekl. 



reply, were written by Major John 
Armstrong, Aid-de-camp to General 
Gates, who, as senior officer of the 
army, had command of the encamp- 
ment, with his quarters at the Ellison 
house, now more generally known as 
"Knox's Head-quarters." The anony- 
mously called meeting was not held. 
The motives of its projectors we will 
not discuss; but its probable effect, 
had it been successful, must be con- 
sidered in connection with Washing- 
ton's encomium of the result of the 
meeting which he had addressed: 
"Had this day been wanting, the 
world had never known the height to 
which human greatness is capable of 
attaining." 

Notice of the cessation of hostilities 
was proclaimed to the array April 
19th, 1783. It was received with great 
rejoicings by the troops encamped at 
New Windsor, and, under Washing- 
ton's order, was the occasion of an 
appropriate celebration there. In the 
evening, signal Beacon lights pro 
claimed the joyous news to the sur- 
rounding country. Thirteen cannon 
came pealing up from Fort Putnam, 
and were followed by a feu-de-Joie 
rolling along the lines. "The moun- 
tain sides resounded and echoed like 
tremendous peals of thunder, and the 
flashing from thousands of fire arms, 
in the darkness of the evening, was 
like unto vivid flashes of lightning 
from the clouds." From this time 
furloughs were freely granted to sol- 
diers and entire regiments who wished 
to return to their homes, and when 
the army was finally disbanded by 
Congress, in November, those absent 
were discharged from service without 
being required to return. Practically, 
however, the army was disbanded by 
furlough prior to June 20, when 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX, 



125 



the remnant of short term men were 
marched from New Windsor to West 
Point. As the furloughed regiments 
moved off the encampment grounds 
at New Windsor, there were many sad 
parting scenes. 

"Painful," says Thacher, "was the 
parting; no description can be ade- 
quate to the tragic exhibition. Both 
officers and soldiers, long unaccus- 
tomed to the affairs of private life, 
were turned loose upon the world. 
Never can the day be forgotten when 
friends, companions for seven years 
in joy and sorrow, were torn asunder, 
without the hope of ever meeting 
again, and with the prospect of a mis- 
erable subsistence in the future." 

Major North adds: "The inmates of 
the same tent, for seven long years, 
grasped each others' hands in silent 
agony. To go. they knew not whither; 
all recollection of the art to thrive by 
civil occupation lost, or to the youth- 
ful never known. Their hard-earned 
military knowledge worse "than use- 
less; and with their badge of brother- 
hood, a mark at which to point the 
finger of suspicion — ignoble, vile sus- 
picion! — to be cast out on the world 
long since by them forgotten. Sev- 
ered from friends and all the joys 
and griefs which soldiers feel ! Griefs, 
while hope remained— when shared 
by numbers, almost joys! To go in 
silence and alone, and poor and hope- 
less; it was too hard! On that sad 
day how many hearts were wrung! 
I saw it all, nor will the scene be ever 
blurred or blotted from my view!" 

Perhaps both of these pictures are 
overdrawn, but it is true that the men 
were literally hurried away — were lit- 
erally poor and without where to lay 
their heads. 

"Why was the army brought hith- 



er?" and "What portion of the build- 
ing was particularly occupied by 
Washington?" are questions so fre- 
quently asked that a few words of ex- 
planation appear to be necessary. The 
presence of the army of the Revolu- 
tion north of the Highlands, and in 
the vicinity of the river, was for the 
purpose of counterac*:ing the plans of 
the British Ministry, who hoped, by 
obtaining control of the navigation of 
the river, to cut off the Eastern Prov- 
inces from the Southern, with a view 
to confine the rebellion to the former 
and render its reduction certain. The 
Hudson thus became the strategic 
line of the contending forces, to which 
the possession of the Highlands was 
the key. While English cannon thun- 
dered at New York and Quebec, the 
extremes of the line, the forces of the 
patriots guarded the Highland passes; 
on both sides of the river the camp- 
fires of the army were lighted, while 
from the centre of the field —first at 
his Head-quarters in New Windsor, 
and subse :juently at the Hasbrouck 
House — Washington, through the se- 
cret service, watched the movements 
of his powerful antagouist. Once, 
twice, the centre of the line had been 
lost, and recovered almost by a mira- 
cle. Sir Henry Clinton's victorious 
banners were given to the breeze from 
the Highland battlemeots October 7. 
1777, and his messenger sped away to 
bid Burgoyne hold on. It seemed but 
the question of a day; but accident 
led the messenger into the hands of 
a rallying militia — the silver bullet 
which he conveyed revealed hi 5 pur- 
pose. Burgoyne, after waiting his 
arrival until he could wait no longer, 
surrendered at Saratoga, and forts 
Clinton and Montgomery, blackened 
by fire and strewn with the dead, re- 



126 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



turned to the patriot forces. The 
treason of Arnold was not less acci- 
dentally prevented from accomplish- 
ing its purpose. And in this connec- 
tion how singular is the fact, that 
while accident or miracle twice saved 
the cause of liberty, the immediate 
agents through whom so great a boon 
was gained — Taylor and Andre — suf- 
fered death at the hands of hang- 
men! 

To the second question we answer: 
Washington's family consisted of him- 
self, his wife, and his Aid-de-camp, 
Major Tench Tighlman. The large 
room, which is entered from the piazza 
on the east, known as "the room with 
seven doors and one window," was 
used as the dining and sitting room. 
The north-east room was Washing- 
ton's bed-room, and the one adjoining 
it on the left was occupied by him as 
a private office. The family room was 
that in the south-east; the kitchen 
was the south-west room ; the parlor 
the north-west room. Between the 
latter and the former was the hall and 
stair -case, and the store-room, so 
called from having been used by Col. 
Hasbrouck and subsequently by his 
widow as a store. The parlor was 
mainly reserved for Mrs. Washington 
and her guests. A Mrs. Hamilton, 
whose name frequently appears in 
Washington's account book, was his 
housekeeper, and in the early part of 
the war made a reputation for her 
zeal in his service which Thacher 
makes note of and Washington ac- 
knowledges in his reference to an 
exchange of salt. There was little 
room for the accommodation of guests, 
but it is presumed that the chambers 
were reserved for that purpose. Wash- 
ington's guests, however, were mainly 



connected with the army and had 
quarters elsewhere.* 

The building is now substantially 
in the condition it was during Wash- 
ington's occupation of it. The same 
massive timbers span the ceiling; the 
old fire-place with its wide-open chim- 
ney is ready for the huge back-logs of 
yore; the seven doors are in their 
places; the rays of the morning sun 
still stream through the one window; 
no alteration in f'^rm has been made 
even in the old piazza — the adorn- 
ments on the walls, if such the ancient 
hostess had, have alone been changed 
for souvenirs of the heroes of the na- 
tion's independence. In presence of 
these surroundings, it requires but 
little effort of the imagination to re- 
store the departed guests. Forget- 
ting not that this was Washington's 
private residence, rather than a place 
for the transaction of public business, 
we may, in the old sitting-room, re- 
spread the long oaken table, listen to 
the blessing invoked on the morning 
meal, hear the cracking of joints, and 
the mingled hum of conversation. 
The meal dispensed, Mrs. Washing- 
ton retires to appear at her Hower 
beds or in her parlor to receive her 
morning calls. Colfax, the captain 
of the Life-C nai'd, enters to receive 
the orders of the day — perhaps a 
horse and guard for Washington to 
visit New Windsor, or a barge for 
Fishkill, or West Point, is required ; 
or it may be Washington remains at 
home, and at his writing-desk con- 
ducts his correspondence, or dictates 
orders for army movements. The old 
arm-chair, sitting in the corner yon- 



*C'liastellux relates that when he visited the 
}It'a(l-(Hiai'tfi's in December, '82, the room wliich 
ser\ ed :'s a sitliiij'-room in the day-time was his 
Ijed-ruoiii at nitjiil. 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



127 



der, is still ready for its former occu- 
pant. 

The dinner hour of five o'clock ap- 
pi'oaches; the guests of the day have 
already arrived. Steuben, the iron 
drill -master and German soldier of 
fortune, converses with Mrs. Wash- 
ington. He has reduced the simple 
marksmen of Bunker Hill to the dis- 
cipline of the armies of Europe, and 
tested their efficiency in the din of 
battle. He has leisure now, and 
scarcely knows how to find employ- 
ment for his active mind. He is tell- 
ing his hostess, in broken German- 
English, of the whale (it proved to be 
an eel) he had caught in the river. 
Hear his hostess laugh? And that is 
the voice of Lafayette, relating per- 
haps his ventures in escaping from 
Fr:!nce, or his mishap in attempting 
to attend Mrs. Knox's last party. 
VV^ayue, of Stony Point; Gates, of 
Saratoga; Clinton, the Irish-blooded 
(Toveruor of New York, and their 
compatriots— we may place them all 
at times beside our Pater Fatrke in 
this old room, and hear amid the min- 
gled hum his voice declare: "Happy, 
thrice happy, shall they be pro- 
nounced hereafter, who have contrib- 
uted anything, who huvw performed 
the meanest office in erecting this 
stupendous fabric of Freedom and 
Empire on the broad basis of inde- 
pendency; who have assisted in pro- 
tecting the rights of human nature, 
and in establishing an asylum for the 
poor and oppressed of all nations and 
religions." 

In France, fifty years after Wash 
ington lived here, Marbois repro- 
duced, as an entertainment for La- 
fayette, then an old man, this old 
sitting-room and its table scene. 
From his elegant saloon he conducted 



his guests, among whom were several 
Americans, to the room which he had 
prepared. There was a large open 
fire-place, and plain oaken floors; the 
ceiling was supported with large 
beams and whitewashed; there were 
several small-sized doors and only one 
window with heavy sash and small 
panes of glass. The furniture was 
plain and unlike any then in use. 
Down the centre of the room was an 
oaken table covered with dishes of 
meat and vegetables, decanters and 
bottles of wine, and silver mugs and 
small wine glasses. The whole had 
something the appearance of a Dutch 
kitchen. While the guests were look- 
ing around in surprise at this strange 
procedure, the host, addressing him- 
self to them, said: "Do you know 
where we now are V Lafayette looked 
around, and as if awakening from a 
dream, exclaimed, "Ah! the seven 
doors and one window, and the silver 
camp goblets such as the Marshals of 
France used in my youth. We are 
at Washington's Head-quarters on the 
Hudson fifty years ago."* 

Fortunate will it be for America if, 
in the coming time, her children, 
drawing inspiration from those old 
walls and from the lessons of patriot- 
ism, of honor, of official integrity, of 
political action, which were here in- 
culcated, shall sincerely and reveren- 
tially respond: "The seven doors and 
one window — ire are at Washingtoii's 
I{ead<iiiarfcrs on the Hudson P'' 

After tlie retirement by Washington 
the Hasbrouck family resumed pos- 
session of the house, and remained 
there until a short tinje anterior to 
1849, when the title of the property 

* While qudting- rliis stdry as current litei-a- 
tiire, it is but just to liistory to say that Lafayette 
was never in the Hasiiniuck house during its 
oecuiiatiini hv Wasliington. He was in France. 



128 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



became vested in the people of the 
State of New York, under the fore- 
closure of a mortgage given to the 
commissioners to loan certain moneys 
of the United States. For many years 
it was called "the old Hasbrouck 
house," but the memory of Washing- 
ton and of the events which clustered 
around it during his residence here, 
ever brightening as time advanced, 
caused this name gradually to fade 
away before the undying one by 
which it is now known. 

By an act of the Legislature, passed 
April 10, 1850, the property was placed 
in tho care of the Board of Trustees 
of the then Village of Newburgh, to 
be preserved as nearly as possible as 
it was at the time of its occupation 
by Washington, and to erect a flag- 
staff from which should be unfolded 
the United States flag, upon which 
should be inscribed: ^'■Liberty and 
Union, now and forever, one and in- 
separable,^'' 

The interior of the building had 
been modernized in some respects, 
but the Trustees of Newburgh, true 
to their trust, appointed a committee, 
and by them every part of the build- 
ing was carefully restored to the con- 
dition it was in at the time of its oc- 
cupation by Washington. This being 
done and the flag-statf erected, on 
the 4th of July, 1850, the place was 
formally dedicated, with appropriate 
ceremonies, on the green in front of 
the building. 

The property thus set apart and 
dedicated to be forever kept to awaken 
patriotic memories, passed to the care 
of the city authorities of Newburgh, 
on the passage of the city charter in 
1866, where it remained until 1874, 
when the Legislature, by act of May 
11th, appointed a Board of Trustees 



to hold and maintain it. This Board, 
composed of Wm. C. H. Sherman, 
David Carson, David Moore, James 
G. Graham, Jos. H. H. Chapman, Cy- 
rus B. Martin, Peter Ward, Joel T. 
Headley, Edward C. I^oynton, and 
James W. Taylor, is now (through its 
successors) in the discharge of the 
duty assigned to it. 



Washington's Headquarters. 



BY MARV K. MOM ELL. 



Sung at the Dedication of the Old Buildina, 
July 4, 1850. 



Free men, pause! this ground is holy; 

Noble spirits suffered here ; 
Tardy justice, marching slowly. 

Tried their faith trom year to year- 
Yet their patience 

Conquered every doubt and fear. 

Sacr«d is tliis mansion hoary; 

'Neath its roof-tree, years ago. 
Dwelt the father of our glory. 

He whose name appalled the foe ; 
Greater honor 

Home nor hearth can never know. 

Unto him and them are owing 
Peace as stable as our hills ; 

Plenty, like yon river flowing 
To the sea from thousand rills ; 

Love of country, 
Love that every bosom thrills. 

Brothers! to ycmr care is given, 
Safe to keep this hallowed spot; 

Though our warriors rest in heaven. 
And these places know them not. 

See ye to it 
That their deeds be ne er forgot. 

With a prayer your faith expreising, 
Raise your country's flag on high; 

Here, where rests a nation's blessing. 
Stars and stripes shall float for aye ! 

Mutely telling 
Stirring tales of days gone by. 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



129 



The Crosby Memoirs. 

Enoch Crosby finished his life where 
Capt. Barnum's narrative left him, at 
his quiet home near Brewsters, in 
Putnam county, N. Y. He died on 
the 2Gth of June. 1835, and was buried 
with his family in the old Gilead 
burying-ground. A plain marble slab 
21 inches wide and 2 inches thick, 
bearing the following inscription, 
marks his last resting place: 



III 

memory (tf 

ENOCH CHOSBY. 

wlio (Ut'd 

.(iiuu 2i;. is;;r.. 

iifjt'd S5 yeurs, 

5 mo's ;ui(l 21 li's. 



His first wife, one sod and two 
daughters are buried by his side, and 
have headstones similar to his. His 
Family Bible, containing the familj' 
record, is said to be still in existence, 
though our reporter was unable to 
find it. His family consisted of two 
sons, Enoch and Lewis, and four 
daughters. Betse}', Rebecca, Sally and 
Hannah. Enoch married a danghter 
of Hackaliah Bailey, of Homers, West- 
chester county, and moved to Sing 
Sing, where for many years he kept 
a prominent hotel. He owned and 
ran a line of stages between Sing 
Sing and Somers, which was extended 
to Patterson, Putnam county, a part 
of the time. He also owned an inter- 
est in the Red Bird stage line which 
ran to Albany. 

Lewis lived at the old homestead, 
aud died in 1836, at the age of 46 



years. Betsy died in 1806, aged 21 
years. Rebecca died in 1841, also 
aged 21 years. We were not able to 
learn when Sally died, but were in- 
formed that neither she, Betsey nor 
Rebecca was ever married. Hannah 
married Philip Rundell, and lived 
near her old home. She died April 
16, 1871, aged 71 years. As far as we 
could learn, Hannah and Enoch left 
no children. Lewis had six sons, 
Edward, Joseph, Ira, Benjamin, Hen- 
j i-y and Charles, and one daughter, 
I Zilla. Edward is a physician, and 
i resides near Salem, Westchester coun- 
! ty. Joseph died in 1869, aged 54. 
j Ira is living in Steuben county, N. Y. 
I Benjamin keeps a hotel in New Ca- 
I naan. Conn. Charles is dead. Henry 
I is living at Jefiterson Valley, West- 
; Chester county. Zilla never married: 
j she died in 1863, at the age of 46. 
t Enoch Crosby was married twice. 
I After the death of his first wife, who 
j was the mother of all his children, 
j about the year 1824 he married the 
j widow of Col. Benjamin Green, gf 
Somers, Westchester county. Hi s sec - 
ond wife died about 1828, and was 
buried by the side of her first husband 
in Mount Zion Methodist church yard, 
in the town of Somers. 



The Fishkill Centennial. 

The one hundredth anniversary of 
the disbanding of the Continental 
Army, by an order from Washington 
dated June 2d, 1783. furloughing his 
non-commissioned officers and men, 
who then struck their tents in Fish 
kill and made preparations to return 
to their homes, was celebrated at 
Fishkill Village on Saturday, June 2, 
1883. Not only did the inhabitants 
of the village turn out en. masse, but 
vehicles of all sorts brought people 



130 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



from the out-lying districts, while the 
-cars brought many more from the 
towns and villages along the lines of 
the Newburgh, Dutchess and Connec 
ticut, and the New York and New 
England Railroads. The village was 
in gala attire, almost every house 
being decorated with the National 
colors, portraits of Washington, etc. 
Crowds of people thronged the streets, 
especially in the vicinity of the Man- 
sion House, where the procession 
formed. Mr. A. R. Wiltsie acted as 
Grand Marshal, and Messrs. W. H. 
Wood, H. W. Smith, W. E. Dean, H. 
R. Scofield, Absalom Niver and Frank 
Wakeman as Aids. 

THE PROCESSION. 

Piano's Brass Band of 19 pieces. 

A choir of 18 male singers, led by 
Dr. C. M. Kittredge. 

The Centennial Committee — J. J. 
Monell, C. M. Kittredge, J. H. Cook, 
G. W. Owen, F. B. Goodrich, J. E. 
Dean, R. B. Van Kleeck, C. M. 
Wolcott. I 

Committee of Arrangements — H H. 
Hustis, J. T. Smith, J. W. Spaight, 
Lyman Robinson, I. E. Cotheal, E. 
Luyster, Augustas Hughson, H. F. 
Walcott, Isaac Cary, H. B. Rosa, A. 
W. Armstrong, I. O. Norris, E. M. 
Goring, F. I. Jackson, L. C. Rapalje. 
Garrett DuBois, Storm Emans, L. V. 
Pierce, 0. W. Horton. 

The Clergy — including the pastors 
of all the churches in the town. 

The Speakers of the occasion. 

Members of the Press. 

The thirteen Vice-Presidents, repre- 
senting the 13 original States: Wal- 
ter Brett, J. B. Burnett, J. L. Sco- 
field, John Place, Lewis Tompkins, 
W. H. Mase, F. K. Scofield, Major E. 
C. Boynton, E. M. Ruttenber, T. V. 



W. Brinkerhoff, J. G. Van Wyck, M. 
V. B. Brinckerhoft", Dr. L. H. White. 
Thirty-eight young ladies dressed 
in white, with sashes of red, white 
and blue, each bearing a small sUk 
flag, represented the present number 
of States. 
Veterans, citizens and invited guests. 
After the procession had formed, it 
marched through Broad, Jackson and 
Main streets, and arrived at "The 
Battery,"' where the exercises were to 
take place, at 3 o'clock. A large plat- 
form had been erected for the speak- 
ers, officers, band, singers, etc., and 
i the entire field was surrounded with 
; suitable decorations. A cannon had 
j been planted near by, and a salute of 
{ 13 guns was fired during the moving 
j of thtt procession. About 3(/()0 per- 
I sons had gathered in and about the 
j Battery to take part in the occasion. 
When the procession arrived the plat- 
form was soon filled, and the exercises 
began. 

Hon. J. J. Monell, of Fishkill Land- 
ing, arose and spoke as follows: 

Fellow-citizens— From the opening 
to the close of the Revolutionary war 
a strong military f(.)rce was stationed 
at this village, extending through the 
passes of the Highlands toward West 
Point. Its object was to keep up com- 
munication with the Etistern States, 
to supply the troops at West Point 
and the lower Hudson, and to harass 
and prevent the British troops from 
joining Burgoyne at Albany. Fish- 
kill became an armed encampment, 
and one of the most important places 
in Dutchess county. After eight long- 
years of watching and suffering, on 
the 2d of June, 1783, an order from 
the Commander-in-Chief reached the 
cam}), directing that "arrangements 
be made for marching the troops 
of their respective States to their 
homes." Peace had been proclaimed, 
the war was over, the battles had been 



"< 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



131 



fought, the victorieK won, and Au^er- ; 
iea was free! A shout of joy went up 
throughout all the camp. To com- 
raemorate the Centennial of this event 
we have this day assembled. 

We also meet preparatory^ tQ the 
erection of an appropriate monument i 
to honor and perpetuate the memory 
of all those who died in the encamp- 
ment and were buried in the lievoln- 
tionary g]"ave-yard at the foot of yon- 
der mountain. 

"Tliey fell devoted but iiiidyiiig. 
Tlie very sale tlieir praise seems sifihiiijj;. 
The wati-rs iiiuriimr with tlioii- name, 
The woimIs are iienpled with their fame. 
Their iiieiiiDry \\rai>s Ihe dusky mmuitain, 
Tiieir si)irits 'sparkle in the foiiutaiii." 

On all important occasions, before 
an<l after battle, in times of trial, in 
the hoar of victory, at the pi'oclama- 
tion of the Proposals of Peace, and at 
the dissolution of the army. Gen. 
Wjishington always ordered that the 
chaplains should recognize the Su- 
j)reuie liuler of the universe. Fol 
lowing his example, and from the im- 
pulses of our own hearts. Dr. John H. 
Hobart, rector of the old Revolution- 
ary church in this place, has been 
selected to open this celebration with 
prayer, to be followed by a psalm of 
praise, in which it is hoped all the 
people will join. As Dr. Hobart has 
recently been severely afiflicted by the 
loss of a beloved sister. Rev. Robert 
B. Van Kleeck. a descendant of Henry 
Schencic. who was Quarter-Master at 
Fishkill during the Revolution, will 
perform the services. 

Rev. Air. Van Kleeck then t)ttered 
prayer, which was followed by the 
choir singing "Praise God from whom 
all blessings How." 

Hon. J. J. Monell then introduced 
Air. Benson J. Lossing, the historian, 
who was selected to act as chairman, 
as follows: 

We are favored to-day by the pres- 
ence of a citizen of Dutchess county 
who is a brilliant example of what our 
institutions can do for man. From 
being a. printer's boy, he has risen by 
his own exertions to be one of the 
lirst historians of the age, and has 



done more than any other person to 
delineate and perpetuate the events 
of the Revolution. He has been hon 
ored by the colleges of our own coun- 
try and by the universities of Europe, 
and he honors us this day by consent- 
ing to act as chairman of this meet- 
ing. I introduce to you the Hon. 
Benson J. Lossing." 

Upon taking the chair, Mr. Lossing 
said: 

Ladies and gentlemen — Citizens of 
Fishkill: I thank you for the great 
honor you have conferred upon me by 
inviting me to preside on this most 
interesting occasion. I am officially 
supported by thirteen distinguished 
citizens, and sustained by the pres- 
ence of charming representatives of 
(/// our States: what more could I 
desire ? 

This summer you are pinvileged to 
celebrate not only the disbandment of 
the Continental army, but the bi- 
centennial of three important events 
in the history of the ancient and un- 
divided town of Fishkill. namely: 

1. The advent within its domain of 
the first white child born in Dutchess 
county. 

2. The purchase of the land of this 
region from its barbarian inhabitants, 
and so planting the seeds of settle- 
ment and civilization and empire in 
this county: and 

3. The marriage of the chief pur- 
chaser, an ex Mayor of New York 
city, with the attractive yo-.:ng widow, 
Helena Van Ball, whose daughter, 
seventeen or eighteen years afterward, 
became Madame Brett, a personage 
distinguished in your local annals 
and honored by her worthy descend- 
ants among you. 

On the 19th of last April the citi- 
zens of Newburgh celebrated the cen- 
tennial of Washington's announce- 
ment of peace, in accordance with a 
proclamation by the Continental Con- 
gress on the 11th ; to day the citizens 
of Fishkill celebrate the centennial of 
Washington's order for the virtual 
disbandment of the Continental army, 
the logical sequence of the proclama- 



132 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



tioa of the 11th and the announce- 
ment of peace on the 19th of April. 

One hundred years ago to-day, 
Washington wrote to Gen. Putnam 
that the Secretary of War and the 
Paymaster-General were at headquar- 
ters at Newburgh, the latter "empow- 
ered to settle all accounts" with the 
soldiers — the final act of the war. 

The definitive treaty of peace had 
already been negotiated by the agents 
of the high contracting powers, and 
only needed the proper signatures. 
These were appended in September 
following. 

You are assembled to day to cele- 
brate the last of the two final events 
in the history of the old war for inde- 
pendence, namely: the disbanding of 
the array which had been instrumental 
in securing peace and independence 
for our beloved country. 

I congratulate j'ou, citizens of Fish- 
kill, because of the privilege you en- 
joy of being residents of a precinct so 
hallowed and consecrated by great 
deeds, the memory of which more 
eloquent tongues tiian tnine will this 
day awaken. 

The choir sang the grand old hymn, 
"The Star Spangled Banner." Hon. 
J. J. Monell then addressed the chair 
and said: 

Ml'. Chairman, the following Vice 
Presidents have been selected by the 
Centennial Committee: 

Mr. Walter Brett, a descendant of 
Madame Brett. She was the tirst 
white woman who settled in this 
town — an heiress who inherited over 
28,000 acres of land extending from 
the Hudson river along Fishkill creek, 
four hours journey, sixteen miles. 
She was greatly beloved in her day, 
and her memory is still held in great 
honor by her numerous descendants. 
She died in 1764, and was buried in 
the graveyard attached to the Re- 
formed Church of this village. When 
the steeple was erected it was over 
her grave; an appropriate monument 
to her memory. 

Mr. Joseph B. Barnet, of New AVind- 
sor, grandson of Major Robert Burnet, 
who was a delegate to the Temple, 



when, under the inspiration of Wash 
ington. the officers of the army, neg- 
lected by Congress, resolved to stand 
by their country Major Robert Bur- 
net heard Washington say, when he 
could not see clearly to read his ad- 
dress, "You see, gentlemen, I am 
growing blind, as well as gray, in the 
service of my country." 

Gen. Jacob L. Scofield, born in the 
lifetime of Washington, and an officer 
in the war of 1812, has lived under 
every Administration of this Govern- 
ment. 

Messrs. John Place, Lewis Tomp- 
kins, and Willard H. Mase, represent- 
atives of the mei'caatile and manufac- 
turing interests of the town. Men 
who have risen to places of influence 
by their own eftbrts, examples of what 
our institutions can do to improve 
the condition of man. 

Major Edward C. Boynton, of New- 
bnrgh, late of the linited States army, 
who wi'ote the history of West Point, 
and has recently compiled the general 
orders of Washington, issued at New- 
burgh. 

Mr. E. M. Rutteuber, the historian 
of Newbm-jjfh, of Orange county, and 
of the Indian tribes of the Hudson, 
who for years has devoted his leisure 
hours to collect the historical events 
of this region. 

The remaining five — Messrs. P>ed- 
erick K. Scofield, Jacob G. Van Wyck, 
T. Van Wyck Brinkerhofi; Matthew 
V. B. Brinckerhoff, and Dr. Lewis H. 
White — represent old Revoluticnaiy 
families, who gave up their homes to 
the occupation of Revolutionary offi- 
cers, and did all they could for their 
comfort. Many of these persons oc- 
cupy the same houses that their an- 
cestors did, rich in historic associa- 
tions. 

These thirteen Vice-Presidents are 
chosen to represent the thirteen orig- 
inal States. 

Each of the thirty-eight young la- 
dies personates one of the 88 States; 
they represent the stars on the blue 
ground of our flag, the 38 stars in the 
dome of our National Capitol, the 38 
States that are woven and interwoven 
into the very texture of our Constitu- 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



133 



tion, so as to be "one and inseparable, 
now and forever." They, with the 
ladies in charge of them, represent 
'•Heaven's first, best gift to man — 
woman/" And now, let the toast be, 
"Dear woman!" and let the Band re- 
spond. 

Amid much apphause, the Band 
played and the choir sang "Let the 
toast be, Dear Woman!" repeated 
three or four times. 

Mr. Lossing then introduced Hon. 
Theodoric R. Westbrook, of Kingston, 
a Justice of the Supreme Court, and 
a native of Fishkill Village, who made 
the opening address. He spoke as 
follows: 

Ladies and Gentlemen — Upon the 
elevation of a century of years which 
onr country has now attained, of the 
greatness of which we are forcibly 
reminded by the presence of these 
young ladies representing the thirty- 
eight States of the Union, we are as- 
sembled to look backward to their 
beginning; to rescue so far as we can 
from oblivion the events which then 
transpired in tiiis locality; and, while 
we coatemplate the past and the pres- 
ent, to remember the Hand which has 
led us, and shaped and directed the 
occurrences making the history of the 
intervening period. 

In the immediate locality of this 
assembly there were no battles, but 
the scenes of carnage were not far 
away. Quite ne'^r us are Stony Point, 
Forts Clinton, Moutgomer-, and Put- 
nam, and West Point — historic and 
classic ground made memorable, not 
only by tlie deeds of patriotic valor, 
but by treason, almost successful, of 
H trusted general. Many of the act- 
ors in those great events were familiar 
with the landscape upon which we 
now look. They saw the same old 
hills, and beheld the same old build- 
ings. The ground around and about 
us is hallowed by recollections of 
tliose who here, from time to time, 
t(>ok counsel together concerning the 
important events in which tbej' were 
participants. 

On the 28th day of August, 1776, 



the Provincial Convention of this 
State — as its Legislature was then 
called — then in session at White 
Plains, selected Fishkill as the place 
to which should be removed the treas- 
ury and archives of the State, and in 
which the subsequent sessions of that 
body were to be held. They were 
accordingly resumed at this point on 
the 3d day of September, 1776. The 
Episcopal church, still standing and 
subsequently occupied as a hospital, 
was selected, because then unoccu- 
pied, but on assembling there it was 
found to be "foul with the dung of 
doves, and without seats, benches, or 
other conveniences." and thereupon 
the convention adjourned to the old 
Reformed Dutch church, which still 
rears its spire heaven -ward, and whose 
walls still stand, the sjient witnesses 
of the wisdom and patriotism of its 
then occupants. That historic build- 
ing continued to be the place of meet- 
ing of the convention until its removal 
to Kingston, where it contimied its 
labors from February, 1777, to May of 
the same year. Here also, in the 
same old church, the Committee .of 
Safety met. There, too. as tradition 
informs us. the prisoners captured by 
our soldiers were confined. Ah, could 
those walls but speak, what tales they 
could teJl! What words of wisdom 
they heard, what secrets they bear of 
dang(-rs averted by action determined 
upon within their enclosure! What 
hopes and aspirations there uttered, 
and what forebodings '^f evil, almost 
iiiaudibly whispered, they in silence 
listened to! The details of what there 
transpired shall never be disclosed to 
us. but from the character of the bod 
ies which there assembled we are sure 
that uinch of the history marked by 
the stirring events of the Revolution 
was there formulated and resolved 
upon. The old church yard, too, what 
a sacred and hallowed enclosure it is! 
There repose the bodies of Col. John 
Brinckerhoti", General Jacobus Swart- 
wout, General Frederick Westbrook, 
Capt. Gridley. and of many other pa- 
triots and soldiers of the Revolution. 
SK^ep on, and sleep sweetly, dear kin 
dred dust, until the archangel's trump 



134 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



shall wake you upon the glorious 
resurrection morn! 

Let me resume the history of the 
convention which assembled here: 
The draft of the Constitution was 
submitted to the convention in Kings- 
ton on the 12th day of March, 1777, 
and was adopted on the 20th of April. 
Concerning it, the late Mr. Gulian 
C. Verplanck said: "The Constitution 
of the State of New York was printed 
iu 1777, and was the first as well as 
the most important book ever printed 
in the State. The people could find 
but one press in their domain with 
which to print the work of their rep- 
i-eseutatives. It was done at Fishkill 
by Samuel Loudon, who had been a 
Whig editor and printer in the city of 
New York, and who had retired with 
his press to Fishkill, where was tbe 
chief deposit of stores, hospitals, etc., 
for the northern army of the United 
States." 

The same Samuel Loudon also pub- 
lished here till the close of the war 
a newspaper called "The Fishkill 
Packet." This paper was the official 
organ of the Whigs of the Revolutioc, 
and contained four pages of eight by 
ten inches in size. Upoa the press of 
Loudon was also printed the official 
orders of tbe American army. 

It would be interesting to pause at 
this point to consider how gi'eat a 
work in the establishment of our lib- 
erties that humble paper wrought. 
Beside the printing of the State Con- 
stitution and the orders of Washing 
ton, how many liearts were cheered 
and hands strengthened by its stir 
ting words during the long years of 
the bloody struggle for freedom! 

With Loudon and other patriot 
lefugees who fled hither from New 
York upon its occupation by the Brit- 
ish, was a Mr. Van Steenberg, who 
was the schoolmaster of the Collegiate 
Reformed Dutch Church of that city, 
and here established a school. At it 
many of the inhabitants of this local- 
ity wei'e educated. Who can calcu- 
late the influence for good of that 
seminary of learning, thus early es 
tablished, upon this neighborhood? 
We know it bore fruit in the virtue 



and intelligence of the occupants of 
the homes all around us. 

On the 14th of October, 1776, Fish- 
kill, in addition to being the deposi- 
tory of the ti'easure and archives of 
, the State, was turned into an armed 
! encampment. Chastellvix gives this 
I general description of the place in 
; 1780: "This town, in which there are 
i not over fifty houses in the space of 
' two miles, has long been the principal 
I depot of the American army. It is 
I there they have placed their maga- 
zines, their hospitals, their workshops, 
j etc., but all these form a town by 
I themselves, composed of handsomo 
j large barracks, built of wood at the 
foot of the mountains " The barracks 
i referred to by the writer extended 
\ from the place recently occupied by 
I the late Sidney E. Van Wyck to the 
j foot of the mountain, and near by was 
i the soldiers' burial place, where many 
! now unknown patriot dead repose. 
I From what cause it was lai'gely filled 
i let the following extract from the 
j same author describing the invalid 
camp, tell: "The houses were made of 
logs and were erected bj^ the soldiers. 
To this place the troops, however 
j healthy and fit for service, were sent 
when they became destitute of cloth - 
j ing. They remained at the barracks 
j as long as they had rags which could 
1 be patcheil into a covering, but when 
I they became naked they were sent 
I into this hiding-place." What a tale 
I this is in simple words! We shudder 
: as we fill iu all the details of horrors 
[ here portrayed in general terms. In 
I hunger, and in cold, with no food or 
\ clothing, our heroes died. No stone 
I marks their resting places, their names 
I are not preserved to us, but He who 
i called them into being knows where 
! they sleep. In the volume of His 
' book their deeds are all recorded, and 
I by and by, in His own good time, 
shall their virtues and their works be 
proclaimed so loudly that the uni- 
I verse shall hear, and applaud. 

The Van Wyck mansion was the, 
officers' headquarters, and must often 
have been honored by the presence of 
Washington, Lafayette, Steuben, Put- 
nam and othex's. Lafavette was sick 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



135 



in this village for six weeks of a fever, 
and while ill remained at the house 
more recently owned by Matthew V. 
B. Brinckerhoflf. The Baron Steuben 
and his military family occupied the 
residence of Mr. Samuel Verplanck, 
near the Landinj;, in which the con- 
stitution of the now historic society 
■of the Cincinnati was formally signed 
on May 13th, 1783. ' { 

A word should here be spoken con- 
cerning Washington's headquarters* i 
when in this locality, and of their ! 
owner. Col. John Brinckerhoflf, who ; 
died full of years and honors March j 
26th. 1785. The house is thus de- 1 
scribed by one who is present with us I 
to day, and who may be justly styled ! 
the Historian of the Revolution, Mr. \ 
Benson J. Lossing: '"It is an old- I 
fashioned house built of stone, with 
the date 1738 on one of its gables, 
formed of brick imported from Hol- 
land.*' According to the same author- 
ity, "a letter written by Gen. Wash j 
ington to Gen. Lincoln, announcing; 
the appointment by the Continental j 
Congress of the latter gentleman to j 
the command of troops for the de ' 
fence of Charleston,'' was here penned, 
and "is dated at Col. BrinckerhoS''s, 
October 3d, 1778." Mr. Lossing also 
states: "In the Brii.ckerhotf mansion 
Washington remained a few days at 
this time, dating his letters written 
thnre, after the one just mentioned: 
"Headquarters, Fishkill." Whenever 
Washington was at Fishkill he made 
Col. Brinckerhotf 's his headquarters. 
He occupied fhe bedroom back of the 
parlor, "which remains the same (at 
date of 1874) excepting a door that 
opens into the hall, which has been 
cut through." 

In Fishkill lived John Bailey, who 
had also fled from the city of New 
York. He was a mechanic, and in 
his shop were forged many of the 
weapons of the patriot soldiers, and 
among them was a sword worn by the 
Father of his Country, now deposited 
with other national relics at the city 
of Washington, and bearing the in 
scription "J. Bailey, Fishkill.'' To 

-' See illiistralioii on page 121. 



this same individual Gen. Washing- 
ton alludes in a curious letter dated 
October 7th, 1779, as the person who 
could supply him with a two-bladed 
pocket knife, of which he was then in 
need, having lost "an eld and favorite 
one," by which loss he was "much 
distressed." 

Party spirit ran high during those 
days in this locality, but at least two- 
thirds of the inhabitants wei'e loyal 
to home and country, and the ladies 
were ever active in their contributions 
for our needy and suflfering soldiers. 
As proof of their loyalty, it may be 
mentioned that on the 14th day of 
August, 1776, they possessed them- 
selves by force of a quantity of tea 
stored here by Alderman Lefferts, of 
New York, disposed of it at six shil- 
lings per pound, and distributed the 
proceeds of the sale for the benefit of 
the patriot cause. 

During the week now closing stir- 
ring recollections of another great 
and saccef^sful struggle — ^one fought 
to preserve the Union which our fath- 
ers formed — have been awakened. All 
over this broad land have our people 
gathered to decorate with flowers the 
graves where departed heroes sleep. 
As I recalled the stirring reminiscen- 
ces of the war to achieve, and of the 
war to preserve, ''Liberti/ and Union," 
and remembered the issue of each, I 
could not but think that the Union of 
the States wiP be perpetual, ever 
blessing the world with the vision of 
I a government by the people for a peo- 
! pie prosperous as never before wit- 
j nessed on earth, and of a nation gi'eat 
I in all that makes true greatness be- 
i yond all present human conception! 

The choir then sang "Columbia, 
the Land of the Brave," rendering the 
chorus amid the waving of their flags 
, by the 38 young ladies. Mr. J. Her- 
I vey Cook, of Fishkill-on Hudson, was 
! then introduced as the next speaker, 
i and said: 

I Mr. President, Ladies and Gentle- 

j men— Go back with me one hundred 

j years. June 2, 1783, has been alike 

charming, and in all nature there is 



136 



ADDITIONAI, APPENDIX. 



the most attractive loveliness, but is 
there oot a fuller joy in Newburgh, 
New Windsor, Cornwall, West Point, 
and Fishkill, than can be felt upon 
this gladsome day? United in heart 
as now, those who have been long in 
camps, and in action upon many a 
field, hear from yonder old headquar- 
ters the oi'ders of their beloved Wash 
ington, summoning them once more 
to the Cantonment, and they strike 
their tents and hasten, while prayers 
go up from devout lips, and loud 
shouts and huzzas cause the welkin 
to ring, to be echoed and re-echoed 
among these hills and mountains. 

From that holy Temple where their 
leader had refused the crown that the 
people might be sovereigns, the non- 
commissioned officers and soldiers day 
after day are furloaghed in obedience 
to the voice of Congress, never in the 
providence of God to return, and are 
taking that reluctant leave of each 
other which springs from an afieetion 
that has been born of being fellow 
sharers in pei'ils, sufferings, enjoy- 
ments and triumphs, and they hurry 
away to the heart-touching welcomes 
awaiting them in their homes, where 
the loved shared with them the bless- 
ings which freedom brings. It is not 
the proclamation of uncertain war, 
nor the <leclaration of independence, 
but the divine assurance of peace. It 
is the taking off the harness more 
gloriously than it was put on. 

The story of Fishkill in the Revo- 
lution has never yet been fully told 
I know this is saying much in the 
presence of this multitude, who have 
been listening to the most eloquent 
utterances, and seeing around me 
these historical writers, with the au- 
thor of "The Field Book of the Revo- 
lution" in the chair, who has given 
therein with pen and pencil so much 
to endear him to Americans, but even 
he — and I say it with deference — 
could tell but little of what could not 
be crowded into a volume, having to 
range through the thirteen States. 
But some of you may know much 
moz'e than I can uai'rate to you, and 
you ought to, for they were your own 



ancestors who were living here then, 

and acting with them. 

When, the news came to the Provin 

cial Congress in New York of the 

battle of ijexington, where 

"the embattled fanners stood. 
And fired tlie shot heard round the world," 

we see Nathaniel Sackett hastening 
back to Fishkill, like another Paul 
Revere, to spread the general alarm, 
and organize the Committee of Ob- 
servation. At that first meeting there 
was a Spartan woman present who 
declared, with patriotic zeal, that if 
tbe exigencies required it, her ow^n 
sex would take up arms. Who of you 
can claim her in your lineage, need 
boast no moi'e. 

Many went cut to battle, and many 
never to return. Fathers and sons 
and brothers were frequently arrayed 
against each other, as lories were in 
all ranks of society still loyal to their 
.cing, who had cut off by his mis-rule 
the natural allegiance. The names of 
those patriots are familiar to you, 
and many of them yon bear. In tbis 
brief space I could not name them all, 
and to speak of a few would be mak- 
ing an inglorious distinction. How 
they looked, you have often heard, 
and thex'e are those of you who re- 
member seeing in your childhood 
some of those heroes in their age. 

But those spirits are around us 
n3w. Along this old Post Road lead- 
ing down through the Highlands, 
which was formerly an Indian path, 
and was laid out by Lord Loudon in 
the French and Indian war, we see 
them moving one way and the other. 

Near the close of August, 1776, the 
Provincial Legislature is meeting in 
yonder old Trinity Church, no longer 
ornamented with a spire, and soon 
moves into the old Dutch Church near 
by for reasons which the historian 
givc's, which is so changed that the 
fathers scarcely know Jit, ' seeing but 
here and there a trace of the Dutch 
left in it. The president. Abraham 
Yates, is seen riding backward and 
forward to the old Teller house, in 
Matteawan, where he makes his stay. 
Many remarkr.ble men are gathered 
in this Conveation. That elderly, 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



137 



coui'tly gentleman is Philip Living- 
ston, to become afterward a signer of 
tbe Declaration of Independence, and 
Lewis Morris is to be alike honored. 
Among them are Pierre Van Cort- 
landt, Leonard Gansevoort, General 
John xMorin Scott, Robert Van Rens- 
selaer, with James Duane, the emi- 
nent lawyer. Another to have higher 
distinction is Robert R. Livingston, 
who is to be associated with Adams, 
Jefiersou. Franklin and Sherman in 
drafting the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence, and to be named as the tirst 
Chancellor, and to administer the 
oath to Washington as President of 
the United States. But there is one 
more already famo.s for having writ- 
ten the Petition to the People of Great 
Britain in the first Continental Con- 
gres.s. which Jefferson pronounced 
"the production of the finest pen in 
America," and he is to have greater 
glory here. This young man can be 
none other than John Jay, who will 
have brighter honors— to be with Ad- 
ams, Franklin and Laui-ens in negoti- 
ating the Treaty of Peace, and the 
first Chief Justice. 

I must tell my eloquent friend why 
this Convention went from here to 
Kingston. Scott, in writing Wash- 
ington at the time, says it was on ac- 
count of "inconvenience of lodging," 
and he opposed it with much vigor, 
declaring it was highly important 
that they should remain to further 
the obstructions in the river, to be 
nearer New York, and to strengthen 
the patriots who were in the midst of 
so many tories. 

A number of those members wei'e 
to be in that brilliant Convention in 
Poughkeepsie. to act upon the adop- 
tion of the Federal Constitution, and 
you remember how conspicuously they 
slmne alongside of Hamilton. George 
Clinton, and Melancthon Smith, in 
those long and able discussions. Gen. 
Swartwnnt was a member from here 
of that body, and gave his vote against 
it, not wishing to fav(n- it without fur- 
ther aniendments. It was not what 
Hamilton wished, who luid proposed 
a much stronger government, but who 
gave to its passage a mighty strength, 



hoping that time would mould it as 
he would like to see it. How this vil- 
lage then appeared, you have learned 
through your fathers around the old 
hearth-stones. Scattei'ed two miles 
around were only about fifty houses, 
quaint in their looks, and some of 
them going back to tfce first settle- 
ment two hundred years ago. The 
hospitals, magazines, workshops, bar- 
racks and military stores, stretching 
along on either side down to the 
mountains, were like a military town, 
and you must not forget that there 
were thousands of soldiers. There 
were major-generals, brigadiers and 
m;iny other officers. Many patriots 
took refuge here after the disasters 
on Long Island. Putnam came from 
Peekskill on the capture of Fort Mont- 
gomery, and in this retreat was the 
most trying time to him of the war. 
You may think it strange that he 
should be questioned, upon whose 
tombstone is inscribed, "He dared to 
lead where any dared to follow," but 
so it was. It was not enough that he 
endured sufferings and hardships, 
and was so cruelly scarred in the old 
French and Indian war, nor that he 
should have been among "the bravest 
of the brave" with Warren at Bunker 
Hill, although ovei'powered by the 
superior numbers of S'r Henry Clin- 
ton. The youthful Hamilton must 
criticise him, and Washington must 
yield to the prejudices aroused, to 
relieve him for a while fro?n command. 
But the Cotjjmander-in-Chief one hun- 
dred years ago this very day sat down 
in the old Headquai'ters and wrote 
with warmth this Roman general that 
he would "never be forgotten." Among 
those generals were Poor, Learned, 
Parsons. McDougal and the Clintons. 
The Baron Steuben had his head- 
quarters in the Scotield house, in 
Glenham. and at the last at the Ver- 
planck house near the river, where the 
other day the centennial of the Soci- 
ety of Cincinnati was duly celebrated. 
The valiant soldier of Frederick the 
Great gave us his best iservices, like 
DeKalb and Kosciusko. We see the 
Mad Wayne ai Fishkill Landing rap- 
idly dashing off a noteto Sackett i.n 



138 



ADniTIONAL APPENDIX. 



mysterious language, meditating up- 
on another attack like that which at 
Stony Point gave a brilliancy to his 
name. Across those ferries to and 
from Newburgh and New Windsor, 
and up and down along the old roads 
leading to this o.'d village, those men 
are seen coming and going. 

In the old Brinckerhoff house La- 
fayette lay very sick with a fever. He 
was so young, so unseltish, so God- 
like in those qualities which adorn 
human nature. I need not speak his 
praise. 

There is another soldier I must be 
permitted to speak of, who went out 
from this county, the gallant Richard 
Montgomery, who fell at Quebec. 

Washington was familiarly known. 
In camp, on horseback, or in his head- 
quarters at Col. John Brinckerhoff's, 
he was grave and thoughtful, and 
there are many anecdotes remem- 
bered. The Commander-in-Chief on 
his way to Connecticut spent the night 
here with Benedict Arnold jnst a week 
before he went over to ths enemy to 
betray us, and he was on this road 
going toward West Point, riding down 
through those Highlands, when he 
learned that he who had been rash in 
his courage, but had done much in 
the service to merit distinction, had 
become a traitor. Well might he ask 
in sorrow, "Whom can we trust now?" 
Here Joshua Hett Smith, srpposed 
to be in complicity with Arnold, was 
captured, as was also Claudius Smith, 
who was hanged in Orange county as 
a tory. 

In your old church-yard lies the 
dust of many of your fathers, who 
won for themselves the patriot's im- 
mortal name, but how many there 
were who died from wounds and dis- 
ease in yonder church hospitals, who 
have long since mouldered and min- 
gled with mother earth in the neg- 
lected burial plot down near those 
mountains, who, though nameless to 
us, are in the guardianship of those 
spirits that keep holy watch over their 
country and ours, whom we can never 
call by name until the books are 
opened in which the recording angel 
has written the beauty of their heroic 



lives. They are no longer distin- 
guished by the States from which 
they came, but lie together as fellow 
patriots. 

The fathers have long since entered 
upon their high reward. The chil- 
dren, too, have nearly passed away, 
and here are their children's children 
rising up to call them blessed. 

Descendants of the men of the Rev- 
olution, God Almighty has given you 
His own peculiar blessing, in giving 
you such a lofty line, which is more 
than to claim a kinship with kings. 
There is no battle-tield that has more 
hallowed ground, for it was consecra- 
ted through all those years. The 
buildings are becoming fewer and 
fewer in which they were, and while 
they need no monuments, we should 
set up memorial stones everywhere 
for other ages to look upon, to be the 
common heritage of freemen. Those 
beacons shall forever remain, from 
whose proud heights our fathers saw 
the sun of Liberty rising through the 
golden gateways, whose divine rays 
are radiating in the fullness of their 
effulgence, never to depart while God 
sits upon His throne and rules in His 
majesty among the children of men. 

The choir then sang "Our Braves," 
to the tune of Kellar's "American 
Hymn." 

Hon. James G. Graham, of New- 
burgh, was then introduced and spoke 
as follows: 

What more beautiful than a day in 
June"? And surely it is fitting that a 
day like this, when nature is in the 
"bloom of her beauty," and the land- 
scape is blossoming with the ensign 
of the Republic, should be chosen for 
these patriotic ceremonials. It is fit- 
ting, too. that ministers of religion, 
and ministers of justice, and men of 
business — that age, with whitened 
locks, and youth, with growing aspi- 
rations; the strength of manhood and 
matronly worth and culture —and the 
grace and beauty of maidenhood— 

"On their hearts the dew of youth, 
On their lips the smile of truth;" 

that all these should gather on this 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



139 



centennial day, and lay some offering 
on the altar of patriotic memories — 
and more than all, should strive to 
learn the lessons which our Kevolu- 
tionary history is teaching. 

It is indeed a day for solemn 
thought. In the march of time, an 
other one of the centuries has passed. 
You have gathered here with reverent 
steps, from the valley of the Central 
Hudson, in honor of the great events 
which have made this region famous 
forever. May you not recall, with 
pride, the fact that nowhere in all the 
land are riverside, and mountain, and 
valley so pervaded with deep historic 
significance, as in this Highland re- 
gion. Curtis has well said that "the 
Hudson is rich in Revolutionary rem- 
iniscences, and the beauty of its sce- 
nery is touched with the glamour of 
romantic and historic associations." 

Do we realize as we should our rare 
privilege in having our homes, not 
only where the surroundings of Na- 
ture are so grandly beautiful, but 
where there also ever rests over all, 
like the glory of sunset, the golden 
radiance of Revolutionary traditions? 

The claims of this village, and of 
this town, to an honored place in Rev- 
olutionary history, have been justly 
and eloquently presented by Judge 
Westbrook and Mr. Cook. They have 
told you of the sword made here for 
Washington and still preserved; and 
as the song of the "Sword of Bunker 
Hill" has been heard at thousands of 
assemblages all over the land, why 
should not the story of the "Sword of 
Washington" be woven into a national 
song, and be heard in days to come, 
by many a camp fire, and on many a 
day of patriotic rejoicing? 

The fact that the first constitution 
of the State, adopted at Kingston in 
1777, had to be brought to Fishkill to 
be printed, speaks emphatically of 
her patriotic public spirit at that 
early day in the struggle, and I re- 
gard as one of my most treasured 
Revolutionary relics a copy of that 
old New York "Packet," printed by 
Samuel Loudon, at Fishkill. in March. 
1777, which I now hold in my hand. 
It contains proceedings of the "Com- 



mittee of Safety," then in session in 
Kingston, and also many other items 
of interest in reference to the pend- 
ing struggle. 

This press had been driven from 
New York by the British forces, and 
the printer states he "has fixed the 
printing office at the house of Mr. 
Isaac Van Wyck, in Fishkill." It also 
states that the "post office for the 
State of New York is kept by Samuel 
Loudon, at Fishkill," and that "a 
post office is opened at headquarters 
in Morristowu, New Jersey, through 
which we receive the Philadelphia 
mail once a week. The Boston upper 
poht riders, by way of Hartfoid, arrive 
at Fishkill Wednesday evening; the 
lower post, by way of New London, 
arriving on Saturday evening." 

The hearts that thrilled as its con- 
tents were read, more than a hundred 
years ago, have long since ceased to 
beat, and the eyes that pored over it 
with eager interest have long been 
closed in dreamless sleep. When these 
centennial days are past I shall lay it 
again away, fondly dreaming, per- 
haps, that it may still be cared for, 
and that some descendant who may 
treasure the memory of Revolutionary 
days, ma}' meet with your descend- 
ants here one hundred years from to- 
day, and bring with him, then, this 
old relic of 1777. For surely these 
memorable events will be worthy to 
be celebrated anew as each centitry 
rolls round. Even in our wildest 
dreams we cannot hope to picture the 
Republic as it will be when another 
century shall have passed; with our 
flag floating over the whole conti- 
nent, and our population reaching 
a hundred millions. These grand 
mountains, only, may not change. 
They will st ill' stand like sentinels, 
stationed by the Eternal in the early 
morning of time, still keeping watch 
and ward over the valley below ; and 
then, perhaps, even as to-day, the 
flowery spring-time will be passing 
onward to the golden summer through 
gates of pearl, and beneath a sky of 
cloudless blue. 

It is fitting, too, that your neigh- 
bors from beyond the Hudson should 



i'40 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



join with you in these ceremonies to- 
day, for their history was most inti 
mately connected with that of Fish 
kill in those eventful days. The ferry 
between Fishkill and New Windsor 
was crossed over by Col. Morgan and 
his brave troopers, in 1775, on their 
way to join the American army near 
Boston. He led them through this 
sam? valley and through youder pass 
in the mountain. Daring the wliole 
period of the Revolution the same 
ferry was constantly used in connec- 
tion with militai'y movements and the 
transportation of military supplies. 

Miy I ask you to follow me across 
the river, and look on some of the fa 
mous grounds that lie beyond it. Nf»w 
Windsor was in truth one of the 
birth places of that spirit of resist- 
ance and revolution which culminated 
at last in Independence. Her sons of 
Liberty were early in their resistance 
to the Stamp Act, and their leader, 
George Clinton, in the Colonial Leg- 
islature, was among the foremost in 
urging appeal to arms. His brother. 
Gen. James Clinton, fought bravely 
in the French War, as well as in the 
Revolution. They seemed, in truth, 
born soldiers, and lovers of Liberty. 
The home of George Clinton, during 
the war, was on the river bank, where 
the Liidlow, or Chrystie House, now 
stands. And what a proud record his 
public life presents— for seven terras 
Governor of New York, and twice 
Vice President of the United States; 
and during much of his eai'ly service 
as Governor, holding imp<)rtant mili- 
tary commands. He died with his 
armor on. while in the public service, 
as Vice President. 

The Ulster "Plebeian" of April 12. 
1812, which I have before me, con- 
tains the proceedings in Congress in 
honor of the memory of George Clin- 
ton, the patriot, statesman and hero. 

Washington had his headquarters 
at the Thomas Ellison house, on the 
river bank, in 1778, and also in 1780, 
and in 1781, while preparing for York- 
town. At the last of Mirch, 1782. ho 
established his headquarters at the 
old Hasbrouck house at Newburgh 
-There he remained almost continu- 



ously until August 17, 1783. It was 
sQm 'times the scene of social enjoy- 
ment, but oftener of the gravest anxi- 
eties. The army in October, 1782, 
went into ''quarters'' beyond Snake 
Hill, and there remainetl until June, 
1783, with detachments also in neigh- 
boring localities. A distinct of but a 
few miles square thus embraced not 
only the headqairters of the great 
commander, but those of Steuben, eind 
Knox, and Heath, and all his other 
generals —the cantonment of the army 
at i\ew Windsor, and what is worthy 
of deepest veneration of all, the burial 
grounds of the soldiers who died 
there. 

What other region in all our bor- 
ders is thus crowded full of historic 
grounds and historic traditions"? This 
alone should secure for it the visits 
and veneration of lovers of libt^rty 
from all climes. But it has stronger 
title to remembrances by reason of 
the momentous events of which it 
was the theatre. Impartial history 
has awarded Washington the praise 
of consummate generalship. Frede- 
rick the Great, one of the most famous 
of European generals, after the Rev- 
olution was over presented him a 
sword inscribed, "From the oldest to 
the (/reafrsf General of the age." 
Washington had won renown at Tren 
ton and Monmouth, and was fresh 
from his crowning triumph at York- 
town; but towering above them all in 
importance and moral grandeur, were 
his triumphs won at the old Head- 
quarters at Newbursfh and at the 
"Temple" in New Windsor. Wash- 
ington's Headquarters at Newburgh 
are forever associated with the essen- 
tial grandeur of Washington and the 
sure foundation of the Republic. It 
was there that the Commander in- 
Chief, alone, prevented the great vic- 
tory, after the long and terrible con- 
flict, from ending in an incalculable 
catastrophe, and alone secured the 
well ordered and lawful peace for 
which the war had l>een waged. 

After the addresses you have al- 
ready heard, it w^uld be neMless to 
detain you by farther and fuller ref- 
erence to the wonderful scenes of 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



141 



which the "Temple" was the witness. 
Had Washington accepted the offer 
of kingly authority, made by Col. 
Nicola on beiaalf of many of the offi- 
cers, you cannot doubt that the army, 
then in a mood of angry discontent, 
would have followed and recognized 
his sole authority. A monarchy, in- 
stead of a liepublic, would have been 
established in this young colonial em- 
pire, which had at last secured inde- 
pendence. 

Do yon realize, then, how momen- 
tous was the decision of Washington 
when he refused the crown? How it 
shaped the course of American histo- 
ry, and secured the establishment of 
an American Republic? Surely the 
"Headquarters" and "Temple Hill" 
should be the shrine to which every 
lover of republican liberty should 
journey, with something of that spirit 
of veneration which impels the fol- 
lower of Mahomet on a pilgrimage to 
Mecca, or the Christian traveler, as he 
treads the streets of Jerusalem, or 
the "sacred mountains" round about 
her. 

The places of special historic inter- 
est in your vicinity should be marked 
by some lasting memorial, and above 
all, the burial place of continental 
soldiers, here and at Temple Hill, 
should be guarded from further des- 
ecration, and made beautiful with 
shrubs and flowers. Then the song- 
birds will gather there and chant their 
morning hymns, and the sunshine will 
linger lovingly above them. 

As the wonderful story of these 
closing Revolutionary days is recalled 
and brought often before you, you are 
transported back, in fancy, through 
the years of the century and lo(jk up- 
on the camps of the soldiers on the 
hillside. You hear the words of prayer 
and praise on Lord's day, at the Tem- 
ple; you see Washington sitting at 
sunset at the door of the Headquar- 
ters, forgetting his cares as he gazes 
on the river and the mountain suffused 
with the "rose flush of departing day," 
and as the night comes on you hear 
the tread of the sentinel marching on 
his lonely round, and near the grounds 
where we are gathered see again many 
a battle -worn soldier, and at times 



some honored general meets you. You 
are startled as some form rushes past 
you in the darkness, but in a moment 
you recognize it as Harvey Birch, 
fleeing from his prison toward the 
mountain. What is the clattering tu- 
mult on the distant highway where 
the cloud of dust is rising? It is 
Morgan and his band of troopers 
dashing on toward Boston. 

As this day is the centennial of the 
beginning of the virtual disbandment 
of the continental army, I may, in 
conclusion, refer briefly to the closing- 
scene. 

We can never too highly honor the 
veterans who, in the war of the Re- 
bellion, preserved that Republic which 
the men of the Revolution had es- 
tablished. But yet, how marked, in 
some respects, were the contrasts in 
history, at the close of the respective 
struggles. In the last war, the Gov- 
ernment faithfully kept all its en- 
gagements as to pay and clothing and 
supplies for the soldiers in its service; 
although in cost, and numbers en- 
gaged, that war exceeded, many hun- 
dred fold, the Revolutionary struggle 
— and who can forget the grand array 
of all these Union veterans, who when 
the war had ceased, passed in review 
at Washington, before the President 
and other chief ofticei-s of the Govern- 
Tuent, with martial bearing and ban- 
ners floating, and music lending its 
enchantment to the pageant; and as 
they reached their various homes they 
were welcomed with shouts of rejoic- 
ing and words of grateful speech and 
song; and they were well worthy of 
all these honors — they can never be 
fully repaid. 

But now go back to 1783, and see 
how these "Continentals" are leaving, 
after seven long years of sacrifice and 
suffering. Think for a moment what 
their triumph had secured. They had 
won Independence for the colonies, 
and laid the foundations of an Amer- 
ican Republic, stretching now from 
ocean to ocean and embracing 50,000,- 
000 of people. Surely, in view of such 
sacrifices and such results secured, 
they were worthy, if ever soldiers 
were, to have their dues paid in full 
measure and "running over." They 



14l 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



were worthy, if ever successful war- 
riors were when parting from their 
officers and brother soldiers, to be 
clothed in "purple and tine linen," and 
even to wear, as did the victors of old, 
robes "richly inlaid with silver and 
gold." 

How different the picture presented 
there in those June days one huudred 
years ago! With long arrearages of 
pay, for which the prime of their 
manhood bad been sacriiiccd, and with 
clothing scanty and threadbare, these 
Continental soldiers broke camp and 
turned their faces homeward. With 
no grand review, no floating banners, 
no ranks keeping step to martial mu- 
sic, and passing proudly before their 
great commander iind all his gener- 
als. Day after day in succession, the 
troops of the several States struck 
their tents, and said their sad words 
of parting. Faithful soldiers whose 
sense of duty and love of country was 
proof against all temptations. The 
Hag which had floated over the en- 
campment for nearly a year, torn and 
battle stained, but which to them was 
more beautiful than if woven of sum- 
mer sunset hues— this old flag was 
taken down and folded away forever. 

Yes! there, as the "Army of the 
Continentals," you "passed out of 
mortal sight, bat into immortal his- 
tory." And your grateful^ country- 
men of this imperial republic, on this 
centennial of your disbandmeut, with 
eye of faith and loving reverence, be- 
hold you now not in "ragged regi- 
mentals" and with faces saddened and 
careworn, but they behold you radiant 
with joy. and wearing the glittering 
robes of crowned Champions of Free- 
dom, where 

"On FiiiiiP's t'ternal ciiniviiug tirouiul 

Your sili'iit tents ;ire si)re:i<l. 
Where i;loi-v lAuards witli soloimi i-ouncl 

The l)iv(>ii:ic of llie dead." 

But now the lengthening shadows 
admonish me to close. It is an hour 
of mingled sadness and pleasure. 
Sadness, that those who are gathered 
on this festal "centennial" day will 
never again all meet for this pious 
duty. The old will soon be gathered 
to their fathers, and even the young 
cannot expect that their life, long 



though it may be, can span the com- 
ing century. This will be your last 
centennial commemoration of the clos- 
ing Revolutionary days. And yet, it 
is an hour of rejoicing— that the sea 
son to which so many have looked 
forward with patriotic longing has 
come, and we have all been permitted 
to offer some tribute, however hum- 
ble, to the memory of these veterans 
of the Revolution. We have been 
allowed, as it were, to sit at the feet 
of these patriarchs of the Republic, 
and to hear again from their lips the 
great lessons of "trust in Providence" 
and of "unconquerable patriotism." 
and "love of country," which their 
lives so splendidly illustrated. And 
we have an abiding faith that long 
after the ceremonials of to-day shall 
he past the lessons of these heroic 
lives will be seen Snd felt in the lives 
of all our citizens, and that thus we 
may rise to a nobler individual man- 
hood, and a higher national life may 
gladden the future of the Republic. 

The name and fame of these illus- 
trious men of the Revohition are now 
loft, in some measure, to your keep- 
ing. But. matchless and towering 
above them all, stands the majestic 
character of Washington. "Like the 
magnolia in Spring, one cloud of 
snowy bloom — like the tree of the 
tropics, under the blossoms, the rarest 
fruits, profuse and perennial." The 
loving reverence of his countrymen 
has long since crowned him with that 
noblest of titles, "the Father of his 
Country." Here we leave him, and 
we go forward refreshed, strengthen- 
ed, inspired, by the light of the life 
which, like a star, serene and inextin- 
guishable, 

•■Flames ui the forehead of our morning ,sky.'«' 

The choir then sang "America." 

The Chairman made a few closing 
reoiarks, when the chon' sang the 
"Doxology," and the Benediction was 
pronounced by Rev. M. Bross Thomas, 
of the Reformed Church, Fishkill, 
which closed the exercises, and the 
vast crowd dispersed, having appro- 
priately honored the great centennial 
anniversary of the disbanding of the 
Revolutionary army. 



ADDlTlOiNAL APPExXDIX. 



143 



OLD TRINITY CHURCH, FISHKILL, N. Y., AS IT FORMERLY 

APPEARED. 




[fiv)ni the Fishkill Weekly 

Trinity Chnrcl], Fisbldll, is one of 
the oldest chnrch e/.ifices in the State 
of New York. It was the third church 
organized in the town of Fishkill, and 
the first of its denomination in Dutch- 
ess county, or anywhere above the 
Highlands on the east side of the 
Hudson. As originally built, it had 
a tail,' tapering spire, surmounted by 
a ball and vane, as was usual a cen- 
tury tigo. The early records are lost, 
bat from the best evidence obtainable 
it is believed that the chnrch was 
built about 17G0. 

At that time thp people in this sec- 
tion were few in number and poor in 
worldly goods, and it was no light 
matter to procure funds for erecting 
what was then considered a large and 
expensive structure. A gentleman 
who now resides in this village in- 
forms us that his grandfather was 
one of the original contributors to 
the building fund for this church, 
and in order to pay his svibscription 
he was compelled to mortgage his 
farm to an amount which he was 
never able to p-iy daring his lifi'time. 



Time.i, of Feb. 17, 188G.] ■ , 

The land was not sacritied, however, 
and still remains in the family, and 
la.st year a great-grandson of this 
contributor, who now tills the same 
acres that his liberal ancestor first 
broke up, sold over twenty tons of 
grapes from his vineyard, beside abun- 
dance of other products of the farm. 

The tirst service was held by the 
Rev. Samuel Seabury. in 1756. The 
tirst rector was Rev. John Beardsley, 
who was appointed by the society for 
the propagation of the gosjjel, and 
accepted the charge Oct. 20, 1766. This 
church was connected with Christ 
Church in Poughkeepsie for neai'ly 
fifty years. Rev. Mr. Beardsley was 
removed to New York Dec. 16, 1777, 
by order of the Council of Safety. It 
appears the church was then without a 
pastor over nine years, during part of 
which time it was used both by the 
military and civil authorities as a hos- 
pital for the sick and wounded, and 
a meeting plnce for the Constitutional 
Convention of this State. 

The next rector was Rev. Henry 
Van Dyck, who accepted the rector- 



144 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



ship Jan. 22, 1787. He remained un- 
til the spi'ing of 1791, and was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. George H. Spierea, 
Nov. 12, 1792. He in turn was sue 
ceeded by Rev. John J. Sayers, Jan. 
5, 1795. Mr. Sayers continued in the 
rectorship two years, and was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Philander Chase, af- 
terward Bishop of Ohio and also of 
Illinois. Bishop Chase was the foun- 
der of Kenyon College, at Gambier, 
Ohio, and Jubilee College, at Robin's 
Nest, Illinois. Mr. Chase left here m 
1805, and was succeeded by Rev. Bar- 
zillai Bulkley, Aug. 6, 1806. 

Mr. Bulkley was succeeded in 1812 
by Rev. John Brown, who was fol- 
lowed in 1816 by Rev. Mr. Ten Broeck. 
He remained a short time, and left, 
when the church had no settled min- 
ister for a number of years, being 
supplied through missionary sources 
until 1833, when Rev. R. B. Van 
Kleeck, D. D., was duly installed as 
rector. He was succeeded in 1837 by 
Rev. Colly A. Foster, who was fol- 
lowed in 1838 by Rev. Richard F. 
Burnhani. Rev. Robert Shaw suc- 
ceeded Mr. Burnham in 1841, and 
was succeeded in 1844 by Rev. Wm. 
H. Hart. Mr. Hart remained about 
three years, and was followed by Rev. 
Christian F. Cruse, D. D., in 1847. 
Rev. F. W. Shelton succeeded Dr. 
Cruse in 1853, and was followed by 
Rev. John R. Livingston in 1855. 
Mr. Livingston served the church 
long and faithfully, and, dying in the 
harness, was succeeded in the minis- 
try, in 1879, by Rev. J. H. Hobart, 
D. D., the present incumbent. 

The church book comprises minutes 
of each vestry from 1785, and, like all 
old records, contains many curious 
entries : 

"At a meeting of the Trustees of 



Trinity Church at Fishkill, on the 
11th day of August, 1788, present, 
John Cook, Peter Mesier, Jeremiah 
Cooper, James Cooper, and Elbert 
Willett, Jr., the following resolution 
was entered into, to wit: That said 
Trustees should meet Quartei'ly on 
the first Monday in May, first Monday 
in A'lg^ist, fii'st Monday in November 
and first Monday in February, here- 
after. In case of absence of any of 
the Trustees at any time of meeting, 
the person or persons so neglecting 
shall forfeit and pay respectively for 
every such neglect the sum of four 
shillings, two pence, for the benefit 
of the church. Resolved by the ves- 
try, all voting, that the damages this 
church received by the publick was 
duly appraised by James Weekes, 
Isaac Van VV'yck, and Capt. Cor's 
Adriance. 

From the year 1776 to 1783: 
The use of the church . . . .£140 

" " " " " yard 20 
Damages to the same by 

the publick 189 4 11 



£349 4 11 

This statement given to John Cook, 
to be Liquidated by the Publick. 

Resolved — The compensation so ob- 
tained shall be applyed in finishing 
and repairing the church so far as it 
will go, and for no other piarpose 
whatever." 

By a resolution passed in 1789 it 
was ordered that the church should 
receive two shillings from the par- 
ents for every child baptized. 

In 1803 money was raised to repair 
the steeple, but if the work was done 
it does not appear to have been effect, - 
ual, for in a few years after com- 
plaints were made that the spire was 
unsafe, and in 1817 it was removed. 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX, 



145 



Tho apprehensions about the spire 
were probably not unreasonable, as 
the carpenter who removed it said 
that as he worked at the top, in the 
early morning, he could see his shad- 
ow swaying- backward and forward 
on the ground a long way to the west- 
ward. The base was left standing, 
and from that time to about 1860 the 
church had a short tower with an or- 
namental balustrade, as shown in the 
accompanying illustration. Then the 
building was repaired and this tower 
removed, since which it has appeared 
as shown in the larger engraving.* 
Some years later the interior was 
considerably changed also. The high 
pews were removed, and more com- 
fortable ones substituted, and the 
tall pulpit, with its antiquated sound- 
ing board, which stood near the cen- 
tre of the church, was dispensed with. 

In the buryiug-ground which sur- 
rounds the church on all sides except 
the front, a great many of the early 
residents lie buried. Forty or fifty 
years ago, when interments were fre- 
quent in this ground, it was no unu- 
sual thing to dig up pieces of blank- 
ets, which had probably been wrap- 
ped around the remains of those who 
died in this edifice when it was used 
as a hospital. 

In September, 1865, the church 
celebrated its Centennial, when in- 
teresting services were held and an 
address was delivered by Rev. Dr. 
Brown, who more than fifty years 
before had been its rector. 



* See p:ij,'e i)2. 



The Reformed Dutch Church, 
Fishkill. 

The Reformed Dutch Church of 
Fishkill was organized in 1716 by the 
Rev. Petrus Vas, pastor of the church 
at Kingston. At that time there was 
but a sparse population in this sec- 
tion. The census taken two years 
before gave 445 as the total popula- 
tion of Dutchess county, which was 
then much larger than at present. 
That the people were not only few 
but poor, is evidenced by the tax-list 
of 1717, which gives a total valuation 
for the county of £1,300. Six years 
later, in 1723, there were only 195 
taxable inhabitants in this county. 
The first church building was erected 
in 1731, and was of stone, and pai't of 
these walls still remain in the present 
edifice. [See cut on page 47.] 

The first pastor was the Rev. Cor- 
nelius Van Schie, who was installed 
Oct. 4, 1731. He remained but a few 
years, and accepted a call to the 
church in Albany. Calls were then 
sent to the Classis of Amsterdam, and 
afterward to Germany, but no pastor 
was obtained until 1745, when the 
Rev. Benj. Meynema was installed, 
and held the position for ten years, 
when he resigned. The third to oc- 
cupy the position was the Rev. Jacob 
Vannist. He died in the ministry af- 
ter serving two years and a half, and 
was buried beneath the pulpit. His 
headstone, still standing at the end 
of the church, states that he died 
April 10, 1761, in his 27th year. In 
December, 1763, the Rev. Henricus 
Schoonmaker assumed the charge, 
and officiated nearly two years, and 
was then succeeded by the Rev. Isaac 
Rysdyck, who was installed in Sep- 



146 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



tember, 1765. In the spring of that 
year the church lost one of its mem- 
bers, who had attained a very remark- 
able age. The silver tankard used in 
celebrating the Lord's Supper was 
presented to the church in January, 
1820, and bears the following inscrip- 
tion: "Presented by Samuel Ver- 
planck, Esq., to the First Reformed 
Dutch Church in the town of Fish- 
kill, to commemorate Mr. Englebert 
Huff, by birth a Norwegian, in his 
lifetime attached to the Life Guard 
of the Prince of Orange, afterwards 
King William III. of England. He 
resided for a number of years in this 
county, and died with umblemished 
reputation at Fishkill, 21st of March, 
1765, aged 128 years." 

During the pastprates of Messrs. 
Schoonmaker and Rysdyck the R. D. 
churches in this country were divided 
into two parties, called the Coetus 
and Conferentie, between which the 
contention was very sharp and bitter, 
insomuch that they shut the churches 
against each other, and sometimes 
broke them open by force. Until 
then all clergymen had been educa- 
ted and licensed in Holland, which 
was very inconvenient, and caused 
great delay in obtaining pastors. The 
Coetus partisans advocated their edu- 
cation and ordination here, while the 
Conferenlie looked on such a proposal 
as revolutionary and impious. Mr. 
Schoonmaker belonged to the former 
party, and Mr. Rysdyck to the latter. 
When the former was ordained in 
Poughkeepsie the church doors were 
closed against him, and the services 
were held under an apple- tree near 
by. It is related that on one occasion 
the Coetus party broke open the 
church door here with an ax, and that 
the heads of families sat during the 



service with clubs in their hands. 
Truly it was then a "church militant" 
in the fullest sense. These differences 
were finally adjusted at a meeting 
held in New York in June, 1772, 
although contention in the churches 
did not cease until 1778. On the 12th 
of May of that year a meeting was 
held in this church, when the two 
consistories were combined, one-half 
of each retiring, and the others re- 
maining as the official board of the 
united church. 

Dominie Rysdyck, in addition to 
his pastoral duties, was principal of 
a grammar school which had previ- 
ously been established here, and was 
the first academy in this county. He 
was considered the most learned theo- 
logian in the Dutch Church at that 
time, and was as familiar with Latin, 
Greek and Hebrew as with his native 
tongue. During the latter part of his 
ministration he preached alternately 
in Dutch and English, the services 
having previously been always con- 
ducted in Dutch. He died Nov. 20, 

1790, and was buried atNewHacken- 
sack. His successor. Rev. Isaac Blau 
velt, who was born and educated in 
this country, was installed Oct. 26, 
1783. He gave one-third of his time 
to the Middle Presbyterian Church, 
dividing the remainder between this 
and the Hopewell church. In 1790 
he removed to Paramus, N. J. The 
next pastor was Rev. Nicholas Van 
Vranken, who was installed Nov. 23, 

1791. He preached two Sabbaths each 
month here, and divided the other two 
between Hopewell and New Hacken- 
sack. He died May 20, 1804, after a 
brief illness, in the 42d year of his 
age. He was buried in the church- 
yard of this church, near the entrance, 
where his grave stone is still stand- 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



147 



ing. During his miniRtration preach- 
ing in Dutch was discontinued. 

After his death the union of the 
three churches was dissolved, Fishkill 
becoming a separate charge, over 
which Rev. Cornelius D. Westbrook, 
D. D., was installed, March 9, 1806. 
His pastorate was a long one, lasting 
until July, 1830. During his ministry 
the church at the Landing wiis organ- 
ized. Dr. Westbrook preaching in this 
church morning and evening, and 
there in the afternoon. In October, 
1830, Rev. George H. Fisher became 
pastor of this churcli, and remained 
here five years. He was followed by 
Rev. F. M. Kip, D. D., in August, 
1836. Dr. Kip's pastorate was long 
and successful, extending over a third 
of a century. In September, 1866, 
the 150th anniversary of the organi- 
zation of the church was celebrated 
with appropriate services, in the pres- 
ence of a large concourse of the chil- 
dren and friends of the church, on 
which occasion Dr. Kip preached a 
historical discourse, from which we 
gather many of the facts in this 
sketch. Dr. Kip resigned the charge 
in May, 1870, and was followed by 
Rev. Peter E. Kipp, who was installed 
in Aiigust of the same year. On ac- 
count of impaired health, he resigned 
in January, 1875, and was succeeded 
by Rev. Asher Anderson, who was in- 
stalled in August following. After 
laboring here with great zeal and 
success about five years Mr. Anderson 
accepted a call to a church in Passaic, 
N. J., and Rev. M. B. Thomas was 
called to the charge, being installed in 
March, 1881. Mr. Thomas still holds 
the position, being the thirteenth pas- 
tor in regular succession since the 
organization of the church, 170 years 
ago. If we 30unt the two who jointly 



held the position during the contro- 
versy between the Coetus and Confer 
entie parties as one, there have been 
but twelve pastors since the church 
was founded, which would make them 
average over fourteen years each. 



[From the Fishkill Times. March 24, 1886.] 

The AVharton House, Fishkill, N. Y. 

The accompanying illustration* was 
engraved expressly for the Times from 
a photograph recently taken for us by 
Mr. C. A. Palmer, of Matteawan, and 
is an exact representation of the re- 
nowned "Wharton House" as it ap- 
pears at the present day. This ancient 
edifice stands on the easterly side of 
the old Post Road, about one mile 
south of the centre of this village, not 
far from the foot of the mountain 
which it faces. Like most of the 
houses in this region built a century 
or more ago, it was fronted toward 
the south, without regard to position 
or direction of the road which runs 
by it. It is not known when it was 
built, but from deeds in the posses- 
sion of Mr. J. J. Van Wyck of this 
village, we learn that the land on 
which it stands, which then included 
a tract of 959 acres, was purchased by 
Cornelius Van Wyck, of Hempstead, 
Long Island, from Catharine Brett, 
familiarly known in local history as 
"Madam Brett," on the 10th of April, 
1733. In 1757 Mr. Van Wyck by will 
divided his land betw^een his sons, 
Cornelius and Richard. The portion 
where this old homestead stands fell 
to the share of Cornelius, while the 
portion nearer the village went to 
Richard. Cornelius, the second, in 
turn divided the property between his 
two sons, Cornelius C. and Isaac, the 
latter retaining the southerly part, 
* See page 00. 



148 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



containing the old mansion. His bro- 
ther ou his tract, soon after the close 
of the Revolutionary War, built the 
house now owned and occupied by 
Mr. George R. Shaw. The old house 
which is the subject of our sketch 
was undoubtedly erected by Corneli- 
us, the original settler, as in his wild 
he provides that his widow shall oc- 
cupy the west room and the small 
room back of it, with the furniture 
contained in both, during her life. 
That it was occupied as an official 
headquarters during the greater part 
of the Revohition, is a matter of his- 
tory on which there is no dispute. 
The name of "Wharton" is, however, 
entirely fictitious, and is derived from 
Cooper's story of "The Spy." No 
family of that name ever owned or 
occupied the premises. 

As stated above, Cornelius Van 
Wyck, the original settler, bequeathed 
it to his son Cornelius. From him it 
descended to his son Isaac, who was 
born, spent his life and died there, 
and bequeathed it to his son Isaac I., 
and he in turn to his son Sidney E. 
He died childless in 1883, and the old 
homestead passed into the hands of 
Mr. David Hustis, who owns it at the 
present time. Isaac I. Van Wyck be- 
queathed the southerly part of his 
farm to his son Joseph J., and on his 
death, in February of last year, it 
passed to his son Joseph J., who now 
holds it. Another and larger portion 
of the original purchase a little fur- 
ther down the valley, but adjoining 
the above, belongs to Mr. Jacob G. 
Van W^yck, another descendant of the 
fifth generation from the original set- 
tler, being a grandson of Mr. Corne- 
lius C. Van Wyck. 

Across the road from the old head- 
quarters was the camp of the troops. 



their barracks extending for a quarter 
of a mile to the foot of the mountain. 
On a knoll in the camp grounds stands 
the black walnut tree which, during 
the time the troops were quartered 
here, was used as a whipping-post 
where deserters and tories were pun- 
ished with the lash. This tree is 
fully six feet in diameter at the base, 
and the iron rings to which the cul- 
prits' hands wore tied have long been 
overgrown and hidden from sight. 
Directly in front of the old mansion 
across the little brook whose crystal 
waters come purling down from the 
mountain, is the old burying-ground 
where hundreds of brave men who, in 
the midst of privation and suflfering 
which we shudder to think of, gave 
their lives for their country, lie in 
unmarked and unhonored arraves. 



The Cold Spring Recorder says: A 
traveler, just at the close of the Rev- 
olution, was crossing the Fishkill 
mountains at the time when it took a 
hatful of Continental money to buy 
a breakfast. He had no money, but 
he had a copy of a famous little book, 
one of the earliest printed books in 
America, called "The New England 
Primer," which contained the shorter 
catechism of the Scotch Church. It 
was a little book, but it had pictures 
with rhymes, such as "In Adam's fall 
we sinned all." He counted out a 
numl)er of these pages after eating 
his breakfast, and handed them to the 
old lady who served him. She didn't 
know much about reading, but she 
took them, looked at them closely, 
spelled out a few pious words, and 
said: "That's right; I am so glad that 
Congress has at last got some money 
with a little religion on it." 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



149 



From the Fishkill Weekly Times of Oct. 21, 1885. 

Fishkill in the Olden Time. 

Our friend Mr. John B. Jones, of 
New Hackensack, contributes to our 
Columns some interesting anecdotes 
of "ye olden time," which we pz'int 
below : 

Having heard from my grandmother 
a few incidents of the olden time, I 
thought perhaps they might be inter- 
e.sting to your readers. 

About the year 1760 Benjamin Roe 
bought of Samuel Verplanck a tract 
of land near Myers' Corner, now divi- 
ded into five farms. The country then 
was almost a wilderness, a few fami- 
lies of Indians living still in the neigh- 
borhood. Mr. Iloe built a residence, 
which is still standing, and is now 
owned and occupied b}"^ James H. 
Kent. One acre of land was paid for 
by Mrs. Roe knitting a pair of stock- 
ings fof Mrs. Verplanck. 

On one occasion a squaw, who had 
a wigwam near by, came to the house, 
having some young Indians with her. 
As there was a number of cats and 
kittens around, Mrs. Roe asked the 
children if they would like one. They 
said "Yes," and she gave one to them. 
They immediately took it to the wood- 
pile and cut off its head with an ax, 
and when their mother came out one 
of them held the kitten up by its hind 
legs and said, "Have some good braw 
to-morrovv." 

During the Revolutionary War the 
Roe family were loyal to the country, 
and one night a company of tories 
took possession of the house for the 
piirpose of plunder. They tied the 
old man to the bed, and made his 
daughter Ruth pilot them around the 
bouse. Mr. Roe had at that time a con 
siderable amount of silver money in 



the house, which he intended to pay 
on his farm, and it is supposed that 
some of the men were aware of that 
fact. While they were searching the 
house they examined the chest which 
contained it, but did not lind it, as 
the chest had a double bottom. The 
daughter, who was afterwards my 
grandmother, had a gold ring on her 
finger, which she slipped into her 
mouth. One of the men, taking hold 
of her hand, wanted to know what 
had become of the ring? She had 
silver buckles on her shoes, which 
they appropriated. One of the men 
said, "There used to be two watches 
hanging over that mantel-piece; what 
has become of them?" The watches 
belonged to the two sons, who were 
away at tliat time and had the walches 
with them. 

The men found a small amount of 
Continental money, which they took, 
saying it would be of no use to them, 
but they could give it to some of their 
friends. Grandmother thought she 
knew one of the men, althoiigh they 
wore masks, and she called him by 
name; but he said she was mistaken. 
However, some time after the war 
one of my grandmother's cousins was 
at a party on the other side of the 
river, and this man's sister was one 
of the company, having silver buckles 
on her shoes. This cousin said to 
her, "You have my cousin Ruth's 
liuckles on your shoes." The girl 
commenced crying, and said she 
"couldn't help what her brother had 
done." 

Grandmother said she kept the men 
as long as she could, hoping that some 
of the colored people would manage 
to get word to the soldiers who were 
quartered at that time near by, at the 
house then owned by a Mr. Schenck, 



150 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



now occupied by Mrs. P. Flagler. A 
short distance from Mr. Roe's house 
was a log-cabin occupied by their 
slaves, the man named Ish and his 
wife Nan. When Nan was asked why 
she did not put her husband out of 
the back window and send word to 
the soldiers, she said she was afraid 
they would kill Ish. 

In the year 1782 my grandfather 
Abraham Sleight married Ruth Roe 
in this house, the ceremony be.ing 
performed by the Rev. Isaac Rys- 
dyck. who came from Holland, and 
was at that time pastor of the Re- 
formed Dutch churches of Pough- 
keepsie, Fishkill, Hopovvell, and New 
Hackensack, preaching in the Dutch 
language. He served as such pastor 
for twenty-iive years until his dealh. 
and was buried under the pulpit of 
the church at New Hactkensack. 

J. B. Jones. 



From tlie Fislikill Weekly Times of Feb. -t, IKsn. 

Revolutionary lleiniuisoencos. 

Mr. Editor: You ask for incidents 
of Revolutionary times. I will give 
you some that I remember hearing 
when a boy, from the actors in those 
scenes. My grandfather, Abraham 
Sleight, was a soldier of the Revolu- 
tion. This is the only story of his 
that I now remember, perhaps be- 
cause it was the most striking one. 
He was once struck by a spent can- 
non ball. It hit him below the knee, 
but did not break his leg. He could 
show that he received the wound when 
facing the British, as the skin in 
front, below the knee, was calloused 
to the bone. He secured the ball and 
kept it as a relic of the times. I 
remember seeing it; it was about the 
size of a large orange. 



An old colored woman, living near 
the New Hackensack church, used to 
tell about seeing, when she was a 
girl, Gen. Burgoyne's army, after his 
surrender, pass along the road as pris- 
oners of war on their way south. She 
said they passed over the hill where 
Dr. Underbill now lives, and down by 
Fishkill village. 

An old man worked on the farm for 
my father who went by the name of 
Hush (pronounced Hoosh) Haines. 
He said his true name was Godfrey, 
but when he was a small boy his 
father one day sent him to a neigh- 
bor's to get some bush beans to plant. 
When he got there he had forgotten 
the name, but asked for "hush" beans. 
After that he was always called Hush 
Haines. At the time Burgoyne's army 
passed he was a young man, living 
with his father in the old stone house 
now occupied by Mrs. Charlock, on 
the Hopewell road. Uncle Hush, as 
we all called him, said that on that 
day he was away from home with his 
father's horses, and did not get home 
until in the night, and it was very 
dark. The wagon-house was opposite 
the house, close to the road. Going 
into the wagon-house to hang up his 
harness, he stumbled and fell over 
something, and reaching down to find 
out what it was, he passed his hand 
over the cold face of a dead man. 
Hush said he never was so frightened 
in his life. The harness did not get 
hung up, but he got out as rapidly as 
possible. He did not know that Bur- 
goyne's army had passed along the 
road that day. The next morning he 
heard that one of the soldiers had 
been accidentally killed and laid in 
the wagon-house as the army was 
passing. 

That winter the other stone house 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



151 



down at the end of the lane was the 
headquarters of Gen. Lafayette and 
stafi'. Hush said he had seen the 
French officers go out ou the swamp 
near the road, cut holes in the ice, 
run spears down in the mud, and pull 
out frogs on the spears. They pre- 
ferred frogs to quail or rabbits, which 
were plenty in the swamps at that 
time. Hush said the officers had 
great sport hunting for the frogs. It 
seems that eating frogs is not a new 
thing for Frenchmen. 

Uncle Hush used to tell one story 
with great gusto, in which he was the 
hero. He said the tories and cow- 
boys used to steal the farmers' cattle 
and horses, and run them into the 
British lines, down near AVhite Plains, 
in Westchester county. Col. Brinck- 
erhoft' then lived in the house now oc- 
cupied by Mr. Matthew V. B. Binncker- 
hoff. The Colonel had a valuable team 
of horses, and to prevent them from 
being stolen he kept them in the 
house cellar, at the north end of the 
house. In the day time the door was 
not fastened, bnt at night it was bolted 
and barred on the inside. The Colo- 
nel slept in a room directly over the 
horses, and kept his musket loaded 
and primed standing by his bed near 
the window, so that he could point 
the gun out and fire at a moment's 
warning. Hush had heard him say 
that he would give any man a hun- 
dred dollars that could steal the 
horses out of the cellar in the night. 

One hundred dollars was more mon- 
ey than Hash had ever seen in his 
life. He thought he Vv'ould take the 
chances for that hundred. One day 
he managed to get into the cellar and 
hide himself without being seen by 
any one. He laid low and kept still. 
It was a common thing at that time 



for old men to take their toddy for a 
"night-cap," in order to sleep well. 
Hush did not move until he was sure 
all in the house were sound asleep. 
He could tell by the snore over his 
head that the '-night-cap" was work- 
ing like a charm. He then knew jnst 
how to go to work to get the door 
open and not make any noise. Then 
he untied the horses and led them 
very carefully out through the yard 
and into the road. He then stopped 
and listened, but heard no sound. He 
was on good terms with the old dog, 
who would not bark at liim. He then 
mounted one of the horses, and, lead 
ing the other, soon had them in his 
father's stable. The next morning 
his father was out early, and going as 
iisual to the stable to see if his own 
horses were safe, saw the other horses 
and knew them. He came back to 
the house and went to the stairs and 
sang out: 

"Hush! do you know how Colonel 
Brinckerhoir's horses got in our 
stable?" 

"I put 'em in." 

"You did'?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"Come right down, then, and take 
them home in a hurry!" 

Hush said he got up, started down, 
but did not take the horses. When 
he got to the Colonel's house the Col- 
onel was out on the front stoop tear- 
I ing around in a great rage, and giv- 
' ing orders to have the neighbors all 
notitied to start out in pursuit of the 
thief and horses. Hush modestly 
asked the Colonel what was the mat- 
ter? The answer was: 

"My horses have been stolen!" 

"Colonel, didn't you say if any one 
could get your horses out of that eel- 



152 



ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 



lar you would give him a hundred 
dollars?" 

"Yes— what if I did?" 

"If you will give me that hundred 
dollars I will return the horses." 

"How can you do it?" 

"The horses are up in our stable." 

"Did you get them horses out last 
night?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"Well, now, Hush, you go home 
and bring tbe horses back." 

Hush said he took them home and 
tied them in the cellar. He never re- 
ceived the hundred dollars, but got a 
new suit of clothes. 

Edgak Sleight. 



predict; but if the growth of the na- 
tion in intelligence and virtue keeps 
pace with the advances of science and 
wealth, our favored land will soon 
occupy a proud position at the head 
of all the nations of the earth. Let 
every boy and girl who reads this 
little book, and learns something of 
the privations our fathers endured to 
give them the grand heritage they 
possess, resolve to do their part to 
preserve and promote our glorious 
institutions to 

THE END. 



Our Nation's Progress, 

A.bout one hundred and ten years 
have elapsed since the thirteen Amer- 
ican colonies commenced their strug- 
gle for national independence. Dur- 
ing this short period, compared with 
the usual life of nations, our country j 
has grown and increased at a rate 
never witnessed on this planet before. 
An energetic and enterprising people, 
possessing a land abounding in re 
sources, enjoying the blessing of peace 
at home and abroad, might well be 
expected to grow in greatness; yet 
our advancement has vastly exceeded 
the most sanguine expectations of 
the founders of our government, and 
astonished the other nations of tbe 
world. Our system of government, 
which wise men considered weak and 
lacking the elements of perpetuity, 
has stood the test of time and carried 
us safely and triumphantly through 
one of the greatest civil wars to which 
a nation was ever subjected. 

What the future of this land will 
be, the wildest dreamer cannot now 




Bartholdi's Statue of Liberty 
Enlightening the World, erected on 
Bedloe's Island, New York Harbor. 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





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